The story of the defeat of the emperor in a diamond; Napoleon’s Lost Treasure Auction

According to ISNA; A diamond brooch that Napoleon once wore on his duchess hat is expected to fetch more than 200,000 Swiss francs (about $250,000) at Sotheby’s auction of royal and aristocratic works in Geneva on November 12.

This circular pin belongs to one of the darkest periods of Napoleon’s life; The defeat of the British and Prussian armies in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Just as the heavy rain disrupted Napoleon’s battle plans and grounded his artillery, causing a delay that helped the Prussian troops arrive, so too was his escape fraught with difficulty. When his caravan got bogged down in Golwala, he was forced to abandon some of his baggage, including a carriage containing his personal belongings, including medals, weapons, silverware, and jewels.

Just three days after the Battle of Waterloo, this brooch, along with his helmet and sword, was presented to Friedrich Wilhelm III, King of Prussia, as spoils of war. This donation had a symbolic meaning; France had been defeated, its ruler would soon be exiled to St. Helens, and Prussia was finally rising. This jewel remained in the “Hohenzollern” family until recent years and was passed down from generation to generation.

This brooch is made up of about one hundred diamonds cut in the old style of “mine cut”, which was a square cut style with rounded corners that was popular before the advent of modern diamond cutting technologies. Most likely, this piece was made in 1810 and at the time of Napoleon’s separation from “Josephine” and was installed on his hat for use in official ceremonies.

Objects related to Napoleon always attract high attention in the auction market. In June, a collection of more than 100 pieces of Napoleon’s art and memorabilia, including the folding bed he carried with him on his campaigns, sold for 8.3 million euros ($9.7 million) at a Sotheby’s auction in Paris. Earlier this year, an exquisite sword commissioned by Napoleon in 1802 was sold at a Giquello auction for 4.6 million euros ($5.2 million), more than four times its original estimate.