A historic brooch by Napoleon Bonaparte was auctioned in Geneva for a record price of 3.79 million euros. The diamond brooch that the French emperor had to abandon after losing the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 far exceeded expectations on Wednesday. According to the auction house Sotheby’s, its value is estimated at 120,000 to 200,000 Swiss francs (approximately 128,800 to 214,600 euros).
This circular brooch, made for Napoleon in 1810, has a diameter of around 45 millimeters. In the center is a 13.04 carat diamond surrounded by nearly a hundred smaller diamonds. According to the auction house, the jewelry “was probably intended to adorn her bicorn hat on special occasions.”
The brooch was found in one of the carriages stuck in the mud during Napoleon’s hasty escape from Waterloo. On 21 June 1815, three days after the Battle of Waterloo, it was handed over to Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III. presented as a war trophy.
However, an auction of a 10.08 carat pink diamond announced by Sotheby’s on Wednesday, which, according to the auction house, could have reached a price of more than 17 million euros, was canceled at short notice.
On Tuesday, auction house Christie’s, also in Geneva, auctioned off a 9.51 carat bright blue diamond estimated to be worth up to 26 million euros.
