Two leading experts in French antiques, Georges "Bill" Pallot and Bruno Desnoues, have been sentenced following their conviction for creating and selling counterfeit 18th-century chairs once attributed to historical figures such as Marie Antoinette. The verdict was handed down after a lengthy nine-year investigation that sent shockwaves through the French antiques community. Both were given four months in jail and longer suspended sentences, with Pallot receiving a fine of €200,000 (£169,500) and Desnoues €100,000. As they had already served four months in pre-trial detention, they will not return to prison.
An additional defendant, Laurent Kraemer, was acquitted of gross negligence for failing to verify the authenticity of the chairs sold via his gallery, which included buyers such as Qatari prince Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, who purchased two forged chairs for €2 million. Kraemer, along with his lawyers, expressed relief at the verdict, stating that the gallery was a victim of the counterfeiters rather than a participant in the deception.
During the trial, Pallot, once revered as an authority on 18th-century French chairs, had access to royal furniture records, allowing him to identify missing items in historical collections. With the collaboration of Desnoues, a talented sculptor and cabinetmaker, they created replicas that deceived many collectors, including prestigious institutions like the Palace of Versailles.
Prosecutor Pascal Rayer remarked on the case's importance, addressing the hidden complexities and conflicts within the historical furniture market. He underscored the necessity of stronger oversight to ensure transparency, stating that the controversy has indicated a disturbing lack of regulation across the art sector.
The fallout from this fraud case is indicative of broader issues in the antiques trade, where authenticity verification remains a significant challenge. Other instances, such as the deceased Jean Lupu's dealings in counterfeit royal furniture, illustrate the pervasive nature of deception within this clandestine market.
