Napoleon's diamond crown goes up for auction

A diamond crown, which belonged to and was abandoned by Napoleon Bonaparte after the Battle of Waterloo, will go up for auction for the first time.

The crown, made up of nearly 100 diamonds, was left behind when the emperor retreated from the battlefield of Waterloo to return to Paris, and three days later was presented to the King of Prussia as part of the trophies his armies took with them.

Now, it will be sold for the first time at Sotheby's The Royal and Noble Jewels Sale in London on November 12, with an estimated price of £112,674 to £187,790.

The crown has a large oval diamond at its center, weighing 13.04 carats, surrounded by nearly 100 other diamonds of various shapes and sizes.

Created for Napoleon I around 1810, the brooch was probably worn on special occasions and represents the end of his dream of preserving and expanding the empire, also marking a historic shift in power in Europe with the rise of Prussia.

A pearl hair ornament that belonged to Cunegonde de Saxony, cousin of King Louis XVI of France and wife of Marie Antoinette, will also be auctioned.

This ornament, part of a crown which was dismantled and rebuilt around 1840, and the crown with natural pearls and diamonds, is expected to sell for 320,815 to 471,708 pounds.

A light pink diamond ring will also be auctioned for the first time.

It weighs just over 13 carats and is part of a collection of 20 jewels that belonged to one of the last Ottoman princesses, Neslishah Sultan. The ring is expected to sell for between £226,483 and £377,472.

"It is a great privilege to be able to bring to auction these magnificent jewels with a prestigious provenance, year after year in Geneva," said Andres White Correal, director of noble jewels.

“Our 'Royal and Noble' auction continues to be unmatched in the auction world and consistently sets the standard,” he added.

Happening now...

00:00 crossword

Free scheme December 5

23:16 POLITICS

"You and I, Grida, haven't spoken to each other," Braçe gets emotional: My mother tells me you haven't increased my pension in 12 years

23:14 HAPPENING NOW

Another teenager was killed, Martin Can's mother reacts: Don't take our children away

23:04 POLITICS

'The only flag that doesn't know who raised the flag', Bido-Nokas: How much does your suit cost, it's my wealth

22:59 POLITICS

Salijanj/Prençi Movement: Supported by dignified figures in the DP!

22:52 POLITICS

"I can't accept it"/ Braçe comes out against the Minister of Finance: They are favoring large companies that owe the state debts

22:44 POLITICS

Will he challenge Berisha for the post of DP leader? Salianji speaks

22:32 POLITICS

Preç Zogaj: Berisha must pave the way for the youth, he can never come to power again!

22:23 POLITICS

Mërtiri compares the pulpit halls in Durrës and Mirdita: At Salianji there were 30-year-olds, at Berisha there were only old people

22:14 POLITICS

"PD train with 2 locomotives?"/ Keltis Kruja: We are at a crossroads, the party leadership is inflated

22:13 POLITICS

Salianji responds to Berisha: I have held meetings with the structures, the DP should be reformed

22:11 POLITICS

Salianji "stabs" Berisha: Rama does not fall down with music under the office

22:04 POLITICS

"Salianji" Movement/ Journalist: Former MP sought a position in the DP after being released from prison

21:58 POLITICS

The new Salianji-Alimehmeti/Andi Bushati rostrum: Quixotic, Berisha has a bunker party, he doesn't want the help of these...

Want to read more news