Thieves Steal Eight Priceless Jewelry Pieces from Louvre

A daring daylight heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris has led to the theft of eight invaluable pieces of jewelry, marking the first significant art theft from the museum since 1998. The incident occurred on Sunday, March 24, 2024, just after the museum opened its doors to the public, and has left authorities in a race against time to recover the stolen items.

According to the Ministry of Culture, the thieves, disguised as museum employees, used a truck-mounted basket lift to access the museum’s exterior. Within a mere seven minutes, they forcibly entered through a window and smashed display cases in the Galerie d’Apollon. They then fled the scene on motorbikes, taking with them eight objects deemed to possess “inestimable heritage value.”

Fortunately, one item—a gold crown belonging to Empress Eugénie—was recovered near the site shortly after the robbery. A statement from the Ministry highlighted the effective response of the museum’s agents, who managed to thwart the criminals and retrieve the crown, which is currently under assessment.

Art detective Arthur Brand expressed grave concern regarding the remaining stolen pieces. He stated that the police have a limited timeframe of one week to locate the missing jewels. “If they catch the thieves, the stuff might still be there,” Brand noted, adding that the only recourse for the thieves could be to dismantle the jewelry. “If it takes longer, the loot is probably gone and dismantled. It’s a race against time,” he emphasized.

The Stolen Treasures

Among the missing items are several exquisite pieces, each with a rich history. The most notable include:

– **Empress Eugénie’s Tiara and Brooch**: Crafted in 1882 by jeweler Alexandre-Gabriel Lemonnier, this stunning tiara features 212 pearls and nearly 2,000 diamonds. Accompanying it is a brooch designed by François Kramer, which originally formed part of a diamond belt worn by the Empress during significant royal events.

– **Sapphire Jewelry Set**: This set includes a tiara, necklace, and a single earring, historically worn by Queen Hortense, Queen Marie-Amélie, and Isabelle of Orléans. The necklace is decorated with eight sapphires and over 630 diamonds, showcasing the artistry of Parisian jewelers.

– **Emerald Necklace and Earrings**: Presented to Marie-Louise of Austria by Napoleon in 1810, this jewelry set was crafted by François-Régnault Nitot. The necklace consists of 32 emeralds and more than 1,100 diamonds, and both earrings remain in their original condition.

– **Reliquary Brooch**: Created in 1855 by jeweler Paul-Alfred Bapst, this diamond and gold brooch features 94 diamonds and intricate engravings of foliage on its back, making it another highlight of the stolen collection.

Given the fame and historical significance of these items, the urgency for their recovery cannot be overstated. Authorities and art experts are now collaborating closely to prevent further loss and to preserve these invaluable artifacts for future generations. The art world watches closely as the investigation unfolds, hoping for a swift resolution to this brazen theft.