While the fate of the Napoleonic jewels stolen from the Louvre last month continues to remain a mystery, another rare diamond brooch formerly owned by the French Emperor is about to go on sale at Sotheby’s in Geneva.
The round diamond pin, once owned by Napoleon Bonaparte, will be a highlight of the auction house’s Rare & Noble Jewels Sale on 12th November, with an estimate of between $150,000 – 250,000 (£115,000 – 191,000).
Roughly 45mm in diameter, the circular piece features a large central oval shaped diamond of 13.04 carats, surrounded by nearly 100 other old mine-cut diamonds of various shapes and sizes and framed by an open-worked border. Created for Napoleon around 1810, it was most likely worn as a pin in his bicorne hat to celebrate special occasions. Later, the piece was fitted with a suspension hook so it could also be worn as a pendant.
The piece has certainly had a colourful history. Taken by Napoleon to Waterloo in 1815 as part of a precious horde along with weapons, other jewels and a box of loose diamonds, it was seized by the Prussian army after Napoleon’s defeat in the battle, when the fleeing emperor’s carriage became trapped in mud and had to be abandoned. The carriage itself was later sold to the British and ended up on display in central London, but the contents of Napoleon’s treasure trove were offered by the Prussians to their King, Friedrich Wilhem III, as victorious spoils of war.
As part of the royal collection of the House of Hohenzollern, the brooch was passed down through the centuries to the Emperors of Germany and has been part of a private collection for the past few years.
Now the piece will be seen in public once again, as it joins a collection of other incredible and historic jewels offered up at Sotheby’s Royal & Noble Jewels Sale. These include a stunning pink diamond ring that once belonged to Catherine I of Russia, and was formerly in the ownership of one of the last remaining Ottoman Princesses, plus an important natural pearl and diamond hair ornament that began life as part of the wedding tiara of Princess Cunegonde of Saxony (1774 – 1828), who was the cousin by blood to the ill-fated French King Louis XVI, husband of Marie-Antoinette.
“It is a huge privilege to be able bring to auction such wonderous pieces of jewellery boasting prestigious provenance year after year in Geneva,” says Andres White Correal, Sotheby’s Chairman Jewellery Europe and Middle East, and Head of Noble Jewels. “Our Royal and Noble sale continues to be unparalleled in the auction world and continues to set the standard. The presentation, in the same sale, of items of jewellery previously owned by Emperor Napoleon I and Empress Catherine I via one of the greatest Ottoman Princesses, to name only two stunning examples, demonstrates our ongoing quest to offer discerning collectors the absolute best.”
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