In a significant verdict, French antiques experts Georges "Bill" Pallot and Bruno Desnoues have been convicted for their role in a scheme involving the sale of counterfeit 18th-century chairs that they falsely claimed belonged to French royalty, including Marie Antoinette.
French Antiques Experts Convicted in Forged Versailles Chair Scandal
French Antiques Experts Convicted in Forged Versailles Chair Scandal
Two renowned French antique dealers face justice after selling fake royal chairs
In a court ruling at Pontoise, north of Paris, the two were sentenced to four months in prison, already served during pre-trial detention, and received substantial fines. The case, which has unfolded over nearly a decade, highlights a troubling underbelly in the antiques market.
Pallot was once heralded for his expertise in French 18th-century chairs, leveraging his academic connections to facilitate fraudulent sales. Desnoues, an esteemed sculptor, helped create the replicas. Together, they duped various clients, including the Qatari royal family, into purchasing the fakes for millions.
Key defendant Laurent Kraemer and his gallery were exonerated of accusations they failed to verify the chairs’ authenticity, as legal representatives claimed they had been misled. The investigation has raised questions about the overall integrity of the antiques market in France, calling for greater transparency and regulation to prevent future deceptions.
As the trial revealed serious conflicts of interest, experts believe the furniture fraud case may serve as a catalyst for much-needed reforms in how art transactions are conducted in France, protecting buyers and upholding the integrity of the market.
Pallot was once heralded for his expertise in French 18th-century chairs, leveraging his academic connections to facilitate fraudulent sales. Desnoues, an esteemed sculptor, helped create the replicas. Together, they duped various clients, including the Qatari royal family, into purchasing the fakes for millions.
Key defendant Laurent Kraemer and his gallery were exonerated of accusations they failed to verify the chairs’ authenticity, as legal representatives claimed they had been misled. The investigation has raised questions about the overall integrity of the antiques market in France, calling for greater transparency and regulation to prevent future deceptions.
As the trial revealed serious conflicts of interest, experts believe the furniture fraud case may serve as a catalyst for much-needed reforms in how art transactions are conducted in France, protecting buyers and upholding the integrity of the market.
