Napoleon's St Helena table achieves 600% increase on estimate

A side table that is believed to have been used at breakfast by Napoleon Bonaparte has sold with spectacular results at Lyon & Turnbull's June 26 auction of Fine Antiques.

Napoleon St Helena table
The table is apparently present in several paintings of Napoleon on his deathbed



The table was originally estimated to sell for just £300, but collector's soon recognised its importance, propelling it to a 600% increase on estimate at £2,100 ($3,229).

The regency period mahogany piece bears a plaque, which loosely translates to: "This small table comes from the furniture of Emperor Napoleon and was used every day on the terrace in St Helena where he took coffee."

Napoleon was exiled on the British-controlled island of St Helena in 1815, following his famous defeat at Waterloo. He was housed in a small bungalow that was built specifically for the purpose, which was named Longwood House.

While the chair's provenance remains uncertain, the table is certainly of the modest style that Napoleon would have expected while exiled and a far cry from the luxury of his palace at Fontainbleau.

In May, a set of six chairs from Napoleon's Fontainebleau palace sold for $17,829 at Christie's in May.

Paul Fraser Collectibles is also offering a selection of reasonably priced Napoleon memorabilia for sale, including signed letters and an authentic strand of his hair.

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