After it’s capture, the burnous was given to the Prussian general Marshal Blücher, who in turn, presented it to the Prince of Wales, the Prince Regent. It is now in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle.
It function and style, it definitely seems more of a garment to be worn by his Mameluke attired servant. However, the quality and materials makes it more likely to be his though.
I wonder though if in Europe it was more of a housecoat or dressing gown, to be cast over Napoleon’s nightclothes when moving around a draughty palace or grounds?
Unless there is some written or pictorial evidence that Napoleon wore such a cloak between 1799 and 1815, it is highly unlikely that this was an item of clothing owned by the Emperor. It might have been captured by the Prussians in 1815 as stated, but the attribution of ownership to Napoleon is unproven (and probably unproveable).
Should be of high interest, at least it could maybe bring light into such dubious items as the bournous, otherwise always sad reading how low the human spirit is in such matters. The Prussians took from France all demi brigade colours they could find, good decent Republican stuff, I wonder what made them proud of that, none captured on the battle field, but stolen as a war trophy.
Contemporary biographies, and other works, including Tolstoy's War and Peace, describe Napoleon wearing a cloak of this nature during his campaigns in Egypt in the late 1790s. The design is inspired by the North African burnous, traditionally worn by Berbers, although this cloak was probably made in France. It was seized from Napoleon's baggage train at the field of Waterloo, following the defeat of the Emperor.
In case contemporary biographies and others - describe général Bonaparte wearing a cloak like this, I would be interested to read about it, a cloak - for sure yes, but such an intricate pattern?
Then , the text indicates that it was probably made in France - so not worn at all?
I find it very curious that Nabulieone would have carried such a cloak in pristine condition with him at his baggage train.
It function and style, it definitely seems more of a garment to be worn by his Mameluke attired servant. However, the quality and materials makes it more likely to be his though. I wonder though if in Europe it was more of a housecoat or dressing gown, to be cast over Napoleon’s nightclothes when moving around a draughty palace or grounds?
Unless there is some written or pictorial evidence that Napoleon wore such a cloak between 1799 and 1815, it is highly unlikely that this was an item of clothing owned by the Emperor. It might have been captured by the Prussians in 1815 as stated, but the attribution of ownership to Napoleon is unproven (and probably unproveable).
Do we know more about this other than the NAF
Cloak that Napoleon had made and wore during his campaigns in northern Africa and Egypt, 1794 to 1805At Marengo he already wore the legendary grey great coat - and how did the Prussians capture this specimen?