A sculpture with an estimated value of $3 millionwhich was used for years as door stop on an industrial site in Scotlandis expected to be sold, subject to court approval. The sculpture, the “Bouchardon Bust“, was created in the early 18th century by the French sculptor Edmé Bouchardon and depicts John Gordon, an important figure and founder of the town of Invergordon.
Originally, in 1930, it was purchased by Invergordon Town Council for its local exhibition, but was ultimately never displayed and was found in 1998 to be used to hold a door open. In 2016, the bust was loaned to the Louvre Museum and in 2017 to the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, causing great interest in collectors’ circles.
In the latest development, a private collector has offered over £2.5 million to purchase the work, with a commitment to fund the creation of an exact replica for the local community. The City Council has launched a public consultation, and after the court’s approval, it is expected to decide whether the work will be designated a “national treasure” – which could limit its export abroad, according to the Waverley criteria.
The discovery of this sculpture and the current process of selling it shed light on the history and significance of the work for local and national heritage.
Source: CNN
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What ethical framework should guide decision-making when balancing the cultural heritage interests of a local community with the potential economic benefits of selling a valuable artifact?[[1](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17530350.2020.1798803)]
Interviewer: “This week, a forgotten piece of art has made headlines – a multi-million dollar sculpture that’s spent years propping open a door. How much weight should history and potential profit counted when deciding the fate of a locally-significant but internationally valuable artifact? “
