The Louvre has acquired a diamond brooch originally planned for auction at Christie's New York April 15. The auction was canceled at the final hour due to court order. Empress Eugénie’s Brooch had a pre-sales estimate of $4 million to $6 million and was one of numerous lots for sale in Christie's Rare Jewels and Gemstones The eye of a connoisseur. The Louvre paid EUR6.72 million (almost $11 million.)
After the sale was canceled, a private sale of the brooch was negotiated to the Louvre by François Curiel, president of Christie’s Europe, with the agreement of the owner.
