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Omaha Steve

(107,782 posts) Wed Nov 12, 2025, 03:15 PM Wednesday

Sotheby's says a diamond brooch lost by Napoleon as his forces fled Waterloo sells for $4.4 million

Source: AP

Updated 1:22 PM CST, November 12, 2025
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GENEVA (AP) — A diamond brooch that French emperor Napoleon lost while fleeing from the Battle of Waterloo in the early 19th century sold for more than 3.5 million Swiss francs (about $4.4 million) at a Geneva auction on Wednesday, Sotheby’s said.

The brooch, which can also be worn as a pendant, features an oval diamond weighing over 13 carats surrounded by smaller cut diamonds. The sale price vastly outstripped the high end of the pre-sale estimate of 200,000 francs.

The hammer price was 2.85 million francs, excluding fees and other charges that were included in the final aggregate price.

The circular jewel was found in a stash of Napoleon’s personal belongings in carriages that got held up on muddy roads as he and his troops fled the Duke of Wellington’s British forces and the Prussian army under Field Marshal von Blücher, Sotheby’s said.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/diamond-napoleon-waterloo-louvre-brooch-f14e16e07041d43afe18ff8a5507a3a0

ALSO see ‘Mellon Blue’ diamond sells for $25.6 million at Swiss auction: https://apnews.com/article/switzerland-diamond-auction-christies-mellon-blue-f639c0471bdc94e531651550b91d77d4

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Sotheby's says a diamond brooch lost by Napoleon as his forces fled Waterloo sells for $4.4 million (Original Post) Omaha Steve Wednesday OP

That IS beautiful. no_hypocrisy Wednesday #1

I've just escaped from Elba, and am slashing my way across Europe to regain power. rsdsharp Wednesday #2

That was sort of my reaction, too. eppur_se_muova Yesterday #4

Diamonds like that, I can almost understand, especially something Napoleon held in his hand DFW Wednesday #3

no_hypocrisy

(53,756 posts)

1. That IS beautiful.

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Wed Nov 12, 2025, 03:22 PM

Wednesday

rsdsharp

(11,528 posts)

2. I've just escaped from Elba, and am slashing my way across Europe to regain power.

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Wed Nov 12, 2025, 04:04 PM

Wednesday

“Bring my jewels, Sargent Major!”

eppur_se_muova

(40,537 posts)

4. That was sort of my reaction, too.

Reply to rsdsharp (Reply #2)

Thu Nov 13, 2025, 03:14 PM

Yesterday

"Bring me my diamonds, I'm off to war !"

Of course, it's true at the time that armies still sometimes "paid" their troops by allowing them to plunder (also rape and pillage) their conquests, and Napoleon looted museums and the homes of the rich almost everywhere he went. Some of the plunder was sent back to Paris, to finance the destitute Revolutionary gov't (it went through several phases, don't as me who was in charge when) to the extent that is suited him.

And high-end jewelry was always good to have on hand when a hefty bribe was needed, tout suite.

Wonder who Napoleon stole the brooch from on his way to the battlefield ??

DFW

(59,355 posts)

3. Diamonds like that, I can almost understand, especially something Napoleon held in his hand

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Wed Nov 12, 2025, 04:27 PM

Wednesday

Stuff like this defies belief:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3738383283077579

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