Empress Eugenia's Bodice Bow Brooch

Bow with two buckles and folded sides; completed by two braids of unequal length (composed of 7 and 9 elements respectively), ending in tassels of trimmings with articulated fringes; 5 bezels in tassels (central tassels with 7 brilliants, lateral pendants with 6 brilliants).

This knot was originally the center of a belt initially composed of more than 4000 stones belonging to the Crown Diamonds, to be exhibited, among other adornments, at the Universal Exhibition of 1855, then to be worn by the Empress Eugenie. No drawing or photographic document restoring this belt has been found, even if testimonies attest that Eugenie wore it on at least two occasions: for the reception organized at the Palace of Versailles during the visit of Queen Victoria, on August 25, 1855, then during the reception given at the Hôtel de Ville for the baptism of the Prince Imperial, June 14, 1856.

However, as early as 1864, the sovereign gave up wearing this imposing piece of jewelry and wanted to keep only the knot as a bodice brooch, with a cascade of ribbons and tassels that would hang down to the waist. The extremely skillful setting gives the knot and tassels great flexibility, making the stones sparkle with the slightest movement.

More than $100 million worth of jewellery was stolen from the Louvre on October 19.

Thieves stole eight priceless jewels from the French Crown Jewels collection, including the famous diamond "Bow Brooch."

The brooch, worth $1.7 million