A diamond brooch that French emperor Napoleon lost while fleeing from the Battle of Waterloo in the early 19th century sold for more than 3.5 million Swiss francs — about $4.4 million — at a Geneva auction on Wednesday, Sotheby's said.

The brooch, which can also be worn as a pendant, features an oval diamond weighing over 13 carats, surrounded by smaller cut diamonds.

"This historical and highly important diamond jewel was part of other personal belongings the Emperor had taken with him to Waterloo, including medals, weapons, silverware, a hat and a jewellery box containing dozens of loose diamonds as well as jewellery," Sotheby's said in a news release .

"In his haste to flee Waterloo, where his armies had been overwhelmed by the combined forces of the British and Prussian armies, Na

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