A diamond brooch once belonging to French General Napoleon Bonaparte, reportedly lost during his flight from the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, sold for more than 3.5 million Swiss francs (about US$4.4 million) at a Geneva auction on Wednesday, according to Sotheby’s. The price far exceeded its pre-sale estimate of 200,000 francs (about US$225,000).
The circular jewel, which can also function as a pendant, features an oval diamond exceeding 13 carats encircled by nearly one hundred smaller antique-cut diamonds arranged in two concentric rows. According to Sotheby’s and auction catalogue notes, the piece was crafted around 1810, likely to adorn Napoleon’s bicorne hat on special occasions.
Historical records suggest that during the chaotic retreat from Waterloo, Napoleon’s carriages became stuck on muddy roads as British and Prussian forces advanced. Among the abandoned items was this brooch, which was subsequently seized by the victorious Prussian army and presented as a war trophy to King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia on June 21, 1815. The brooch then remained in the jewelry collection of the Prussian Royal House of Hohenzollern for more than two centuries.
Napoleon's diamond brooch, lost during his escape from Waterloo in 1815, sold for $4.4M at Sotheby's Geneva auction, 14x its estimate. Found in mud and kept by Prussian royalty for centuries, it resurfaces amid renewed interest in Napoleonic jewels after the Louvre heist. pic.twitter.com/z4ZJlA5RqU
— ᎷᎥᏁᎴᏬᏒᎷᎥᏁᎴ (@DesiOmni) November 13, 2025
Price of Napoleon’s diamond brooch increased thanks to the Louvre heist
At auction, the brooch hammered at 2.85 million francs (about US$3.3 million), with fees and other charges driving the final buyer’s payment above that figure. Sotheby’s declined to identify the seller and said the buyer was a “private collector.”
Experts say the sale took on added allure in the wake of a recent high-profile theft of French Crown Jewels from the Louvre Museum, and with renewed interest in Napoleonic artifacts. “The brooch arrives at a moment of renewed global fascination with Napoleonic jewels, and its story is irresistible,” said Tobias Kormind of 77 Diamonds.
This sale stands out not only for its price but for the provenance and story behind it. Napoleon’s coronation brooch follows other Napoleonic jewels that have fetched significant sums. Also offered in the same Geneva sale was a green beryl of over 132 carats, reputed to have been worn by Napoleon at his 1804 coronation. That gem sold for 838,000 Swiss francs (about US$950,000), more than 17 times its high-end pre-sale estimate.
Historians say the jewel is a physical relic of Napoleon’s downfall
Beyond its glamour, the object’s provenance and survival through the Napoleonic era add layers of historic significance. It is believed to have remained untouched by private sale until now, making this its public debut.
Historians say the brooch’s inner diamond and its surrounding stones reflect the opulence of the Empire era and provide a tangible link to Napoleon’s personal attire and the turmoil of his final military campaign.
For historians and collectors alike, the piece underscores how artifacts tied to major historical events can command extraordinary value when their story is firmly documented. The brooch not only reflects fine craftsmanship but also serves as a physical relic of Napoleon’s downfall.
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