Bill Pallot and Bruno Desnoues were convicted in a significant antiques fraud case stemming from the sale of fake 18th Century chairs presented as having belonged to figures like Marie Antoinette. While they received jail time, their prior detention negates further imprisonment. A third party was acquitted of negligence.
French Antiques Experts Convicted in Versailles Chair Forgery Case
French Antiques Experts Convicted in Versailles Chair Forgery Case
Two renowned French antiques specialists have been sentenced for their roles in a scheme involving the sale of counterfeit historic furniture, claiming ties to royal ownership.
Two prominent figures in the French antiques scene, Bill Pallot and Bruno Desnoues, were found guilty of fraud and sentenced to four months in prison, as well as suspended sentences, for their involvement in a high-profile scam that saw numerous counterfeit 18th Century chairs sold as authentic pieces once owned by French royals, including Marie Antoinette. They are not expected to serve additional time due to having already satisfied their sentences during pre-trial detention.
The pair were discovered to have sold these forged items to various collectors, notably including the Palace of Versailles and a high-profile buyer from the Qatari royal family. The sale of two fraudulent chairs to Prince Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, purportedly valued at €2 million, sparked a lengthy nine-year investigation into the authenticity of French antiques.
The judgment was delivered in a court in Pontoise, north of Paris, where it also emerged that another implicated party, Laurent Kraemer, and his gallery were acquitted of charges related to negligence in verifying the authenticity of the antique pieces. Kraemer’s legal team expressed relief at the ruling, asserting that their client was a victim rather than a perpetrator in this extensive fraud scheme.
Pallot, once revered as a foremost authority on 18th Century French chairs, had access to detailed records from the Palace of Versailles, which he exploited to fabricate the origins of the chairs. His partner, Desnoues, recognized for his craftsmanship, assisted in creating replicas that were ultimately sold as authentic antiques.
In closing arguments, the prosecutor emphasized the case's implications for the antiques market, urging for increased transparency and regulation to protect collectors and preserve the integrity of historical transactions. The scandal unveiled numerous underlying issues in the antique furniture sector, suggesting a broader need for reform in a field often shrouded in confidentiality.
Similar cases in recent years, including one involving the late Jean Lupu, who passed away before facing trial for selling counterfeit royal furniture, underline the ongoing challenges within the French antique ecosystem. This case serves as a wake-up call for individuals and institutions invested in the preservation and trade of historic artifacts.
