Napoleon's chair broken by French museum employee

A museum worker has broken a chair that once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte, after he couldn't resist sitting in the same spot as the Emperor of the French.

Napoleon's chairs auction
This group of chairs from Napoleon's Fontainbleau palace sold for almost $18,000 at Christie's in 2013


The Palais Fesch Musee des Beaux-Arts in Ajaccio, Corsica - Napoleon's birthplace - has confirmed that the red leather on the director-style folding chair split straight down the middle under the weight of the curious guard, and its wooden frame was also damaged.

The chair is part of an exhibition just opened at the museum, which features the final tent the military leader used on the battlefield.

The media was attracted to the story when local reporters noticed the museum had called in a restoration expert from Grenoble. The chair has now been restored to an extremely high level, and is said to be in better condition than before.

The guard will undergo disciplinary proceedings.

See the video of the chair's restoration.

Napoleon is one of the most collectible of all historical leaders. Paul Fraser Collectibles has an authentic strand of hair from Napoleon's head for sale - the perfect complement to any collection.


Featured products

Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Sale price£399
In stock
Fidel Castro signed certificateFidel Castro Signed Certificate
Fidel Castro signed certificate
Sale price£2,995
In stock
King Henry VIII Autographed DocumentKing Henry VIII Autographed Document
King Henry VIII Autographed Document
Sale price£55,000
In stock