A bicorn hat belonging to Napoleon that has been found will be exhibited in Chantilly.

An iconic object from Napoleonic history is about to emerge from obscurity. A bicorn hat that belonged to Napoleon I will be on display to the public from June 6th at the Musée Condé, as part of an exhibition dedicated to Caroline Murat. Long forgotten in storage, this recently authenticated headwear now stands out as a major piece of Napoleonic heritage.

A rare object with an exceptional history

According to AFP, this beaver-fur felt bicorn hat is one of the rare hats directly linked to the emperor's final years. Expert Jean-Guillaume Parich, curator of the Revolution and Empire collections at the Army Museum, describes it as "absolutely exceptional," particularly because it has remained intact with all its original trimmings. It is even believed to be one of the four hats Napoleon took with him during his exile to Saint Helena.

After the emperor's death in 1821, the object was to be passed on to his son, but he died prematurely. The hat was finally attributed to Caroline Murat in 1836 before entering the collections of the Musée Condé in 1904. Yet, despite this prestigious provenance, the bicorn hat remained in storage for over a century. The museum's director, Mathieu Deldicque, explains that it had literally "fallen into the oblivion of history," escaping even the attention of specialists.

A major rediscovery for Napoleonic history

It was only in 2025, during preparations for the exhibition, that its provenance could be precisely traced and its authenticity confirmed. According to AFP, its origins are now considered "100% certain." The hat exhibits all the characteristics of imperial bicornes: specific proportions, a tricolor cockade, a black silk band, and a taffeta lining.

At the time, Napoleon is believed to have had between 60 and 80 bicorn hats made, but only about fifteen authenticated examples survive today. These objects, which have become true symbols, fetch very high prices on the market: another bicorn hat was sold for over 1,9 million euros in 2023 in Fontainebleau, according to AFP.