The Louvre Thieves Dropped This Priceless Crown. Now It Looks Like This.

Nytimes reports that Empress Eugénie’s crown was left lying on the sidewalk after the Louvre Museum heist in October, and the museum has published photographs showing extensive damage. The palm-like diamond-encrusted arches have been yanked off or bent, the bejeweled cross lies toppled to one side, and one of the golden eagles is missing.

A Louvre report said about 10 of the 1,354 diamonds are missing and that four of the palms were detached, with one having fallen to the floor. The Louvre said it will invite restorers to submit repair proposals to a newly formed committee of experts. Olivier Gabet, the museum’s decorative arts director, said the museum was starting with an estimate of 40,000 euros and that most of the cost will be in hours of delicate restoration work.

The crown was one of nine royal ornaments taken in the burglary and the only one left behind.