1A brooch or pendant from Napoleon’s set — small in size, huge in story
Among the pieces reported were brooches and decorative pins. These smaller items are sometimes assumed to be “less valuable,” but in the Napoleonic collection even a brooch can contain unusually large or historic stones or be linked to a key historical figure (for example, a gift from the Emperor).
Such pieces travel more easily and can be disassembled, which is why criminals targeting national jewels often prefer to take multiple smaller objects: they are easier to fence or alter. Their disappearance therefore represents both a monetary and research loss.
