And as they say, history often comes back to remind us that it once played a part. The diamond brooch that belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte, lost after his defeat at Waterloo, has resurfaced two centuries later to become one of the most valuable pieces of the season in Geneva. The jewel, believed lost since his defeat at Waterloo, was auctioned in Geneva for more than $4.4 million, according to Sotheby’s.
The piece disappeared amidst the chaos after Waterloo
The whereabouts of Napoleon Bonaparte’s famous diamond brooch remained a mystery. Now, the jewel has far exceeded its initial estimate of $150,000 and was acquired by an anonymous buyer after a fierce bidding war that captivated collectors and historians. The piece, which would have adorned his iconic bicorn hat, disappeared amidst the chaos following the emperor’s defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Specifically, according to The Guardian and ABC News, the brooch was crafted around 1810 and features a central oval diamond of over 13 carats, surrounded by nearly a hundred old-cut diamonds.
It has been revealed that among the carriages the French leader abandoned during his lifetime were personal belongings of immense value: medals, silverware, a jewelry box, and, among them, this spectacular circular brooch. Decades after being lost, the jewel passed into the hands of the Hohenzollern royal family in Germany, where it remained until its recent sale. According to experts, each stone has been set in a design that reflects the opulence of the French Empire, with the brilliance and precision characteristic of Napoleonic jewelry.
The brooch was part of Napoleon’s personal jewels
According to history, after the defeat, the brooch was recovered by Prussian troops and presented as a war trophy to King Frederick William III of Prussia, who incorporated it into the Hohenzollern family’s patrimony, as mentioned above. And according to Sotheby’s, the brooch was part of Napoleon’s personal jewels, created by French goldsmiths of the imperial court. Once it came into the Hohenzollern family, the jewel remained for generations, preserved as part of the family heritage and not seen in public again until the 21st century. The piece stands out not only for its beauty but also for its symbolic value, representing one of the most decisive moments in European history.
The jewel’s value is further enhanced by its history of escapes and reunions, and, of course, by its past as a member of Napoleon’s family. Sotheby’s experts assert that its authenticity and history make it a “one-of-a-kind” jewel, comparable to the imperial crowns and medals that defined an era. Now, more than two centuries later, the brooch returns to the public eye as part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale in Geneva. According to the South China Morning Post, the original estimate was between $150,000 and $250,000, but the bidding reached almost twenty times that amount.
This is a reminder of the enduring cultural and symbolic power of Napoleon’s name
With this sale, Napoleon’s brooch is cemented as one of the most valuable historical pieces of 2025 and one of the most symbolically significant jewels in Europe. According to Sotheby’s, experts in the field, the piece symbolizes Bonaparte’s aesthetic and political ambition, and his figure continues to fascinate the international art and antiques market. The auction of this jewel represents not only an economic achievement but also a reminder of the enduring cultural and symbolic power of Napoleon’s name so many years later.
History always comes back around, one way or another, as we began by recalling. And it does so in ways that almost seem like winks from the past. The discovery and auction of Napoleon’s brooch not only rekindles interest in historical jewelry, but also reminds us how, even after centuries of silence, certain treasures manage to shine once more. A jewel of this kind represents the luxury that defined the nobility of another era, a jewel that embodies the significance of a historical figure and that now, two centuries later, continues to shape the story of his legacy.