The Marie Antoinette fake chair trial, held at the Pontoise court in northern Paris, has unveiled a complex scheme of art forgery involving fake 18th-century French chairs. The defendants include Bruno Desnoues, a 69-year-old expert cabinetmaker, Bill Pallot, a 61-year-old renowned specialist in 18th-century French chairs, and Laurent Kraemer, a 68-year-old gallery owner.
The trial centres around the sale of counterfeit chairs falsely attributed to the period of Marie Antoinette. These chairs were marketed as authentic 18th-century pieces, deceiving experts, prestigious dealers, wealthy clients, and even a national institution. The case revealed that despite the supposed authenticity of the chairs, everything turned out to be fake 'except the money'.
During the hearing, the names of prominent figures and institutions were mentioned, including Guerrand-Hermès, Château de Versailles, Marie Antoinette, the Duchesse du Barry, Louis XVI, the Rothschild families, Guerlain, and a Qatari prince. The judges listened with curiosity as the defendants explained how they managed to fool the experts and the art world, revealing hidden dealings within the industry.
Laurent Kraemer, visibly upset, expressed his indignation at being associated with the scandal. Meanwhile, Pallot, author of a reference book on 18th-century French chairs, maintained his status as an undisputed specialist despite the accusations.
The trial, held on March 26 and 27, captured public attention with its unexpected revelations, showing how even the most reputable figures and institutions could be misled by well-crafted forgeries. The case continues to shed light on the deceptive practices within the high-end art and antiques market.
Source: www.lemonde.fr