In an audacious raid on Sunday, thieves stole eight gadgets of jewellery of what officers described as “incalculable” worth from the Louvre Museum in Paris.
The gang focused the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery, which incorporates France’s historic assortment of crown jewels.
The thieves additionally tried to steal the crown of Empress Eugénie, spouse to Napoleon III, which options eight gold eagles, 1,354 diamonds, 1,136 rose-cut diamonds and 56 emeralds, however they left it behind after guards interrupted the raid.
These are the stolen gadgets.
Tiara of Empress Eugénie
Empress Eugénie’s crown was displayed together with a number of different of her possessions reminiscent of this tiara, which options 212 pearls, 1,998 diamonds and 992 rose-cut diamonds.
Empress Eugénie ornamental bow
The Empress additionally wore this glittering ornamental bow that includes jeweled tassels. It was described because the centerpiece of a belt, though the Louvre’s web site says there isn’t a imagery of the completed merchandise. The bow consists of 2,438 diamonds and 196 rose-cut diamonds.
Empress Eugénie brooch
Different gadgets within the Louvre that belonged to the Empress are diamond brooches, amongst them this piece from 1855. It’s referred to as a reliquary brooch, though the Louvre says that the diamond-clad merchandise doesn’t comprise any areas to deal with a holy relic.
Sapphire, tiara, necklace and earring
The Louvre says it’s not recognized who commissioned or created a collection of sapphire gadgets saved within the gallery, which date from the early nineteenth century and have been worn by, amongst others, Queen Hortense, spouse of Louis Bonaparte and Queen Marie-Amélie, spouse of Louis Philippe I.
The set consists of this tiara that includes 24 Ceylon sapphires and 1,083 diamonds, in addition to a necklace that features eight sapphires, surrounded by diamonds in intricate gold settings, and a pair of sapphire earrings. Solely one of many earrings was taken within the theft, the French tradition ministry stated in a information launch.
The set additionally initially included three brooches, a comb and two bracelets, and is a “treasured testimony to Parisian jewellery,” the Louvre says on its web site.
Components of Napoleon’s emerald marriage ceremony reward set
This emerald and diamond necklace joined the Louvre’s assortment solely in 2004. It was initially given by Napoleon to Marie Louise, his second spouse, for his or her marriage in 1810.
The necklace consists of 32 emeralds, each pearl and lozenge formed, in addition to 1,138 diamonds.
The Louvre says that Napoleon ordered two units of luxurious jewellery to rejoice the wedding, together with one other set that includes opal and diamonds.
The Louvre’s set additionally features a pair of emerald and diamond earrings, which the thieves additionally stole.
