Napoleon s 200 year old diamond brooch from waterloo auctions for 30X estimate at sotheby s

In the white-glove, 100% sold Royal & Noble Jewels auction today at #SothebysGeneva, Napoleon’s diamond brooch took center stage. The 200-year-old jewel fetched 30X its low estimate, selling for $4,380,534 USD / 3,527,000 CHF.

The unique piece was created in Paris for Napoleon around 1810, most likely to adorn his bicorne on special occasions.

In Napoleon’s haste to flee the infamous battle of Waterloo, he abandoned some of his carriages – including the one containing this brooch and other precious belongings. Looted from the carriages by the Prussian forces, the brooch was offered to King Friedrich Wilhelm III as a battle trophy, and became part of the Prussian crown jewels.