A diamond brooch once owned by Napoleon Bonaparte is set to be auctioned for the first time.
The historic jewel, comprising nearly 100 diamonds, was abandoned by the emperor when he fled to Paris after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.
It subsequently became a trophy of war, presented to the King of Prussia just three days later.
Sotheby’s will offer the piece in its Royal and Noble Jewels Sale on 12 November, with an estimated value between £112,674 and £187,790.
The circular brooch features a prominent 13.04-carat oval diamond at its heart, encircled by almost 100 mine-cut diamonds of various shapes and sizes.
Created for Napoleon I in about 1810, the brooch was likely worn on special occasions and represents the end of his dream of maintaining and expanding his empire, while marking a historic power shift in Europe with the ascent of Prussia.
Napoleon owned a vast array of jewels. This week, daring thieves broke into the Louvre Museum in Paris, stealing a necklace, a brooch and a tiara from the emperor’s collection.
A crown that belonged to Empress Eugenie, Napoleon III’s wife, was dropped by the thieves and later recovered nearby.
The stolen jewels have not yet been found and no arrests have been made.
Meanwhile, a hair ornament made with pearls which belonged to the Cunegonde de Saxony, a cousin of Louis XVI King of France, who was the husband of Marie Antoinette, will also go under the hammer at Sotheby’s.
Originally part of a tiara which was dismantled and remounted in about 1840, the natural pearl and diamond hair ornament and brooch are estimated to sell for between £320,815 and £471,708.
A light pink diamond ring will also go up for sale for the first time.
Weighing just over thirteen carats, the ring is part of a collection of twenty jewels which belonged to one of the last Ottoman princesses, Neslishah Sultan.
The ring is estimated to sell for between £226,483 and £377,472.
Andres White Correal, head of noble jewels, said: “It is a huge privilege to be able bring to auction such wondrous pieces of jewellery, boasting prestigious provenance, year after year in Geneva.
“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 on-going quest to offer discerning collectors the absolute best.”
Previous sales included an 18th century diamond necklace which was worn to the coronations of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II by members of the Marquess of Anglesey’s family, and which sold for more than £3 million last year.
Sotheby’s The Royal and Noble Jewels Sale will take place on 12 November with online bidding from 24 October.
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