Hair, handkerchief of Napoleon: a sale, near Paris, for the 200th anniversary
Published 2021-05-04 08:47:08
A Napoleon handkerchief, a bloodstained batiste band used for his autopsy, a fine necklace made of gold threads and the Emperor’s hair will be on sale in Fontainebleau, near Paris, on Wednesday, the 200th anniversary of his death. A handwritten note accompanies these intimate objects, giving proof of their authenticity: “This small white silk bag contains the hair of HM the Emperor Napoleon I, a handkerchief, marked with his number, which belonged to him and a band stained with his blood during his autopsy. These precious objects were given to my father by General de Montholon on his return from Saint Helena “, indicates the note, signed by the” second Duke of Bassano “. Montholon was one of the last companions of Napoleon’s exile. The Emperor’s autopsy was performed on May 6, 1821 by Antommarchi, assisted by seven British doctors. Montholon attended, along with the two other executors of the Emperor’s will, Bertrand and Marchand.
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