Napoleon's hat on display in HK

A newly discovered hat with DNA evidence proving it belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte was previewed by auction house Bonhams in Hong Kong yesterday.

Described as the "first hat to bear the Emperor's DNA," it is on display in Hong Kong before it moves to Paris and then London, where it will be auctioned on October 27.

The hat, one of the bicornes often seen in depictions of Napoleon on the battlefield, had been bought unknowingly at a small German auction house.

Simon Cottle, of Bonhams Europe, said: "Five hairs were discovered when the contents of the hat were examined very closely. Two carried the marker of Napoleon."

The conservative estimated price for the hat is between 100,000 (HK$1.076 million) and 150,000.