In Scotland, a marble statue purchased for just £5 (around 6 euros) and used as a doorstop for a shed has recently been valued at over £2.5 million (more than 3 million euros).
Photo: Sotheby's.
The unexpected revelation of the statue's worth has captured significant attention, as the unassuming piece, previously overlooked in a modest setting, turned out to be a rare and highly valuable artwork.
The marble bust, crafted in the early 18th century by French sculptor Edmé Bouchardon, portrays Sir John Gordon, a landowner and politician regarded as the founder of Invergordon, a village in the Scottish Highlands. The village council initially purchased the sculpture for just £5 and planned to display it in the town hall. However, the bust was never exhibited and eventually went missing.
In 1998, the statue resurfaced as a doorstop for a sliding door at an industrial site in Balintore. Recognised for its true value, the bust was later loaned to the Louvre in Paris in 2016, followed by the Getty Museum in Los Angeles the following year.
Recently, an anonymous private buyer from abroad made an offer exceeding £2.5 million for the bust. This buyer has pledged to fund a museum-quality replica so the sculpture's likeness can still be displayed in Scotland.
After multiple legal disputes over ownership and sale rights, a final decision was made: the bust is now permitted to be transferred to a new owner.
Source: www.telegraaf.nl