A diamond brooch belonging to Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, lost after the defeat of the French army at the Battle of Waterloo, has been sold for more than $3.5 million, the Sotheby's auction house website reported.
The brooch reached $3.5 million at an auction in Geneva, 14 times its estimated price of $150,000 to $200,000. The winning bid was made over the phone when the piece was first offered at auction.
The brooch is approximately 4.5 cm in diameter, has an oval diamond of 13.04 carats, and is set with 100 antique-cut diamonds.
The piece was made for Emperor Napoleon I around 1810, probably to adorn his two-horned hat for special occasions. The Prussian army found the brooch among Napoleon's belongings after the Battle of Waterloo, abandoned by him during his retreat.
It is assumed that the emperor intended to decorate his hat with it in case of victory.
The brooch was given to the Prussian King Frederick William III, and until recently was in a private collection.
The Battle of Waterloo, held on June 18, 1815, was the decisive battle between the army of Napoleon I and the forces of the anti-French coalition (Austria, England, Prussia, Russia and other countries). On June 20, 1815, Napoleon returned to Paris and signed his final abdication. He was then taken to the island of St. Helena, where he spent the last six years of his life.