One of Napoleon’s signature hats to be auctioned in France

One of the signature broad, black hats that Napoleon wore when he ruled 19th-century France and waged war in Europe is on display at Osenat’s auction house in Fontainebleau, south of Paris (Christophe Ena/AP)

One of the signature broad, black bicorne hats that Napoleon Bonaparte wore when he ruled 19th-century France and waged war in Europe is expected to fetch upwards of 600,000 euros (£525,000) at an auction.

Other history-laden items in the sale on Sunday of industrialist Jean-Louis Noisiez’s collection of Napoleonic memorabilia include a silver plate looted from Napoleon’s carriage after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.