The burglars stole the big bodice knot of the Empress Eugenie on Sunday morning, as confirmed by the Ministry of Culture.
The jewel is composed of 2 634 diamonds and recently bought by the museum for 6.72 million euros. Before its acquisition in 2008, it was in private hands in the United States.
This jewel was originally the center of a belt initially composed of more than 4000 stones belonging to the Diamonds of the Crown, in order to be exposed, among other ornaments, to the World's Fair of 1855, and then to be worn by the Empress Eugenie.
Testimonies attest that Eugénie wore it at least twice: for the reception organized at the Palace of Versailles during the visit of Queen Victoria, on August 25, 1855, and during the reception given at the Hôtel de Ville for the baptism of the imperial prince, on June 14, 1856.
However, as early as 1864, the sovereign renounced to wear this imposing jewel and wanted to keep only the knot as a bodice brooch whose cascade of ribbons and acorns had to go down to the waist.
Main Image: The bodice knot of the Empress Eugenie, Courtesy Musée du Louvre.