Osenat

The bicentenary of Napoléon Bonaparte's death boosts demand for relics

Osenat is holding one of its periodic sales titled L’Empire à Fontainbleau in its Fontainebleau saleroom on March 22.

This leather-soled silk and kid leather shoe decorated with pleated ribbons is inscribed in pen on the heel 'Soulier de Marie-Antoinette donné à M.de Voisey'.

This pastel by the Barbizon school artist Jean-François Millet (1814-75) is one of the highlights in the Esprit du XIXème Siècle auction at Osenat in Fontainebleau on July 19.

Personal items that belonged to Marie-Antoinette were the highlights of Osenat’s (20.83/18% buyer’s premium) themed sale titled Royalty at Versailles.

September will be a key date in the diary for the French auction firm Osenat, which has announced its expansion with an extra venue and several new departments.

This Empire-period gilt throne or ceremonial chair, measuring 3ft 11in (1.2m) high and 2ft 3in (76cm) wide, is one of the highlights of an April 7 sale of historic artefacts and memorabilia titled l’Empire à Fontainebleau.

On the day that the Bastille was stormed Louis XVI famously recorded “rien” (nothing) in his game book.