Louvre Thieves Drop Priceless Crown, Transforming Its Appearance.

The crown of Empress Eugénie was a highlight of a notorious theft at the Louvre in October. This exquisite piece was among nine royal items stolen during the heist. Interestingly, it was the only item left behind by the robbers.

Thieves dropped the crown, which boasts eight sculpted gold eagles and lavish decorations of emeralds and diamonds, on the sidewalk outside the museum. Three months later, the Louvre has revealed photographs illustrating the severe damage inflicted upon this priceless artifact.

Damage to the Crown

The crown’s fragile palm-like arches, adorned with diamonds, have been either forcibly removed or bent out of shape. Additionally, its ornate cross has been knocked to one side, and one of its golden eagles is missing. A restoration process is set to commence shortly, with the museum inviting proposals from skilled restorers. This initiative will receive oversight from a newly established committee of experts.

Restoration Cost and Process

• The estimated initial cost for restoration is approximately 40,000 euros ($47,000).
• Significant costs will involve extensive and delicate repair efforts.

Olivier Gabet, the Louvre’s director of decorative arts, mentioned that while many crown parts are recoverable, the core challenge lies in the meticulous restoration work ahead.

Ongoing Investigations

The Louvre remains impacted by the effects of the theft, which occurred shortly after the museum opened its doors for the day. This incident highlighted vulnerabilities within the museum’s aging security system. Following the burglary, France’s culture minister tasked an independent expert to investigate the museum’s security failings.

Moreover, labor strikes by Louvre unions have led to closures, with the Apollo Gallery, home to the stolen crown jewels, still shut to visitors. A criminal investigation involving over 100 police officers has resulted in five people facing charges linked to the theft, yet none of the stolen jewels have been recovered aside from the empress’s crown.

A Rich History

Empress Eugénie’s crown is one of the few pieces of French crown jewelry still owned by the state. Most were lost after the French Revolution in 1789, while others were sold off in 1887. The crown was acquired by the Louvre in 1988, originally commissioned by Napoleon III for the 1855 universal exhibition in Paris. It features an impressive 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, expertly crafted by the emperor’s official jeweler.

Following Napoleon III’s capture, Empress Eugénie fled to England, later reclaiming the crown through legal means before passing it down to her godchild, Princess Marie-Clotilde Napoléon.

Future of the Crown

A report from Louvre specialists indicated that the thieves likely caused severe damage by yanking the crown through a small cut in its glass case. It is anticipated that the crown, which symbolizes hope post-theft, will be restored by the end of the year and returned to public exhibition at the Louvre.

As preparations for this restoration unfold, the museum and its patrons remain hopeful for the eventual return of this significant historical piece.