This painting, looted by Nazi troops, has now been returned to its rightful owner

Mr Putin described it as a day rich in emotion, as one of Russia's most sacred possessions was brought home.

But it is only a small fragment of mosaic and the chest of drawers.

The pieces turned up in Germany a few years ago.

Negotiations over their return were held up by Russia's initial refusal to return German works of art looted by the Red Army.

Amber room mystery

But where the rest of the legendary Amber Room is remains a mystery.

The intricately-carved panels were given by Prussia to the Czar Peter the Great almost 300 years ago to decorate his Winter Palace.

Germany.

Russian war treasures

260 pieces of 5,000-year-old Trojan gold Impressionist paintings by Manet, Renoir and Matisse Rare Johann Gutenberg Bible

The 100,000 panels of amber were considered one of the wonders of the world until the Nazis stripped and looted the palace in 1945.

Treasure hunters believe the panels could still be hidden underground somewhere in Eastern Europe and would be worth millions.

To Russia, though, the return of these fragments was of more symbolic value. Most Russian were delighted that part of one of their greatest national treasures has finally come home.