Napoleon Bonaparte's Historic Pistols Fetch $1.8 Million at French Auction

A pair of resplendent pistols, once owned by the illustrious French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and intended to serve as instruments of his demise, were sold for a staggering 1.69 million euros ($1.8 million USD) at an auction held in Fontainebleau, South of Paris. These opulent firearms incur not just a considerable monetary worth but also immense historical significance, as Napoleon is believed to have contemplated using them for suicide in 1814.

Crafted with an ornate design, including inlays of gold and silver and engraving of Napoleon in imperial regalia, the pistols are a testament to the craftsmanship of the era and the stature of their intended user. Considering their connection to the significant historical episode when Napoleon bid farewell to his power, the French culture ministry intervened prior to the sale, imposing a ban on their export and identifying them as "national treasures."

In a bid to retain these heritage artifacts within the nation's borders, the government-employed a rarely invoked decree, thereby initiating a period of thirty months during which the French state has the option to purchase this rarity from the current owner, a right the buyer may decline.

Jean-Pierre Osenat, an expert from the Osenat auction house, asserted ahead of the sale that Napoleon, overwrought by defeat and the occupation of Paris by foreign forces, had resolved to end his own life but was thwarted by his grand squire who deprived the pistols of powder. Subsequently, Napoleon attempted to take poison but failed to succumb and instead expressed gratitude to his squire by bestowing upon him the deadly yet stunning sidearms.

This momentous auction, not only vividly recounts a precarious moment in Napoleon's life but also underscores the continued fascination and demand for relics associated with the emperor. Napoleonic memorabilia, such as one of his iconic "bicorne" hats, have fetched exorbitant prices in recent times, evidencing the enduring allure of his legacy.

Napoleon's life after his decision against suicide included a period of exile on the Mediterranean isle of Elba, a brief resurgence of authority in France, and ultimately, a decisive defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. His last years were spent in exile once again, on the remote Atlantic island of St Helena, where he died in 1821.

The sale of these pistols underlines the intrinsic link between powerful historical narratives and the objects that accompany them. As such, they reinforce the notion that while empires and power may wane, the artifacts that sketch the contours of history remain enduringly valuable, both in sentiment and in monetary terms.