Sotheby's is hosting an auction titled Napoleon: Une collection historique on June 25, 2025 in Paris.
This exceptional sale features a collection amassed over more than 40 years by collector Pierre-Jean Chalençon.
IMAGE: The saber that Napoleon ordered for his personal use from the arquebusier Nicolas-Noel Boutet in 1802 is displayed before its auction, here and below. Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters
IMAGE: A Drouot employee holds the saber, here and below. Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters
IMAGE: A person gestures at Napoleon's sleeve from his red velvet suit ahead of Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong, May 23, 2025. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters
IMAGE: Napoleon's campaign bed. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters
IMAGE: A person stands next to Napoleon Bonaparte's campaign bed. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters
IMAGE: A security personnel stands next to Napoleon's throne. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters
IMAGE: A man looks at the painting Napoleon at the Saint-Bernard Pass by Jacques-Louis David. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters
Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff
Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff