Unusual Artifacts: The Burnous of Napoleon I

Good morning, it's been a strange week from a scheduling standpoint.  Tomorrow, I thought we'd change things up a bit and have "The Treat of the Week" instead of a riddle.  Mr. Punch always enjoys a nice meal, so, it seemed fitting to have a food-related post on one of our "Punch Fridays."

In the meantime, let's continue our look at dramatic objects with this dandy little number created for a little dandy--Napoleon I.

Burnous
Felt, Silver Thread, Silk
French, 1798
The Royal Collection

Napoleon I was not without his little affectations and he had a bit of a tendency toward theatrical dress. During his campaigns in Egypt, Napoleon I admired the North-African-style cloak known as the burnous and commissioned one to be made in his size. Napoleon was often seen wearing the flame-red cloak with its dramatic hood and embroidery.


The burnous was taken from Napoleon I’s carriage at the Battle of Waterloo and presented to King George IV as a symbol of victory. Since that time, this garment has been neatly preserved in the Royal Collection.

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
via The Royal Collection Trust
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
via The Royal Collection Trust
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II