What to Know About the Jewels Stolen from the Louvre
Eight historic pieces remain missing after the brazen morning theft
The Louvre Museum remained closed on Monday in the aftermath of a brazen crime that shocked the world. On Sunday, shortly after the museum doors opened to visitors, authorities said a group of four thieves using an electric ladder and disc cutters entered through the Galerie d’Apollon and targeted historic 19th century jewels. In total, the masked suspects made off with eight items including tiaras, necklaces, earrings, and more. Two additional pieces were dropped and reportedly damanged in their haste.
Below is a closer look at the eight missing jewels identified by France’s Ministry of Culture:
1. Diadem of Empress Eugénie
The diadem was created in Paris in 1853 for Empress Eugénie after her marriage to Napoleon III. In total, the piece consists of 212 pearls and 1,998 diamonds.
2. Diadem from a Set Belonging to Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense
The diadem is part of a set worn by Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense, Orléans and remained in the family until 1985. The diadem consists of 24 sapphires, and 1,803 diamonds. The commissioner and maker are unknown.
3. A Sapphire Necklace from a Set Belonging to Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense
The sapphire necklace is part of the above-mentioned set worn by Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense, and remained in the family until 1985. The necklace is composed of eight sapphires of varying sizes and 631 diamonds. The commissioner and maker are unknown.
4. Earring from a Set Belonging to Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense
An earring from the above-mentioned set was also taken in the robbery. The earring is also made with Ceylon sapphires and diamonds. In addition to the earring and the necklace the set also consists of a tiara, two small brooches and a large brooch. The commissioner and maker are unknown.
5. An Emerald Necklace from a Set Belonging to Empress Marie-Louise
The necklace is part of a set given to Marie-Louise from Napoleon at their 1810 wedding. The necklace is comprised of 32 emeralds and 1,138 diamonds.
6. Earrings from a Set Belonging to Empress Marie-Louise
The earrings are part of the above-mentioned set, and were gifted to the Louvre in 2004. In addition to the earrings and the necklace, the set also originally included a tiara and comb, which were sold and transformed.
7. A “Reliquary Brooch” for Empress Eugénie
The brooch, created by Alfred Bapst for Empress Eugénie in 1855, is formed of diamonds, inscribed with scrolls and leaves on the reverse side. It’s not entirely clear what the brooch was designed for, but it may have been intended to house a relic.
8. Corsage Brooch Belonging to Empress Eugénie
The corsage was initially created in 1855, although it’s initial origins are disputed. The two-loop bow brooch is comprised of 2,438 diamonds, and it is believed that the knot was initially part of a belt worn by Empress Eugénie. However, the Louvre notes that no drawing or document details the belt, and in 1864 the empress only wanted to keep the knot as a brooch.