Reuters has published details about the robbery that took place today at the Louvre Museum in Paris, and the jewelry that was stolen.
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How did the thieves break into the Louvre?
According to authorities, the thieves arrived at the Louvre this morning, along the road along the Seine River, used a pull-out ladder, and broke in through the upper window leading to the Apollo Gallery, or Apollo Gallery.
What jewelry was stolen?
The Ministry of Culture announced that the following eight pieces of jewelry were stolen:
- Tiara from the jewelry set of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense
- Necklace from the sapphire jewelry set of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense
- Earring (one of a pair) from the sapphire jewelry set of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense
- Emerald necklace from the Marie-Louise set
- A pair of emerald earrings from Marie-Louise's set
- A brooch known as a reliquary brooch
- Tiara of Empress Eugenie
- Large knot-shaped brooch from the dress of Empress Eugenie
The crown of Empress Eugenia was found outside the museum. It is believed that the thieves dropped it during their escape — it is an object made of gold, emeralds and diamonds.
What is Apollo's Gallery?
In 1661, after a fire broke out at the Louvre, King Louis XIV began work on the space that now forms this gallery, entrusting it to the architect Louis Le Vau. The young king wanted the gallery to reflect his new symbol – the sun – so Le Vau modeled the space after Apollo, the Greek god of the sun.
Thus was created a sumptuous hall decorated with gilded ornaments and paintings, which later served as a model for the famous Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, completed twenty years later, after Louis XIV moved to Versailles.
What are the exhibits in the Apollo Gallery?
The gallery houses the "Côte de Bretagne", a red-hued spinel (gemstone) in the shape of a dragon that once belonged to Anne of Brittany.
There are also three significant diamonds that were once owned by deposed French nobility.
The first of these, the Regent, is one of the most famous diamonds in the world and weighs 140,64 carats. It was estimated by Sotheby's auction house at more than $60 million.
"It is still considered the finest diamond in the world today due to its purity and perfect cut," the Louvre website states.
The Hortensia, a pink diamond, had already been stolen once before – in 1792. It was found a month later, when a man suspected of theft, sentenced to death and on the gallows, revealed where he had hidden it.
What other valuables could have been stolen?
The gallery also houses the crown of Louis XV, as well as the crown of Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, which local media reported was dropped by thieves in front of the museum as they fled.
Other headpieces include the tiara of the Duchess of Anjou – an emerald and diamond tiara given to her by her uncle Louis XVIII, and another tiara worn by Queen Hortense, Queen Marie-Amélie and Isabella of Orleans.
The collection also includes an emerald necklace that Napoleon gave to Marie-Louise on the occasion of their wedding, as well as a collection of Louis XIV's hard stoneware vessels, which contains around 800 pieces.
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