A very rich Qatari sheikh, known for his million dollar art shopping sprees, is suing a London art dealer for what he says are fake ancient statues.
Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah Al Thani spent almost $5 million for seven ancient relics, allegedly between 1,400 and 2,000 years old.
He purchased them from a reputable London art dealer, John Eskenazi.
He is demanding a refund.
Sheikh Hamad, who lives in the most expensive residence in the UK, Dudley House, is no stranger to the art world and has an extensive collection.
If the Sheikh says he was ripped off, people pay attention.
The Sheikh says that upon inspection, plastic pieces are discovered in a large clay head of a demon known as ‘the Krodha.’ He said the statues also appeared too well preserved for their age. He alleges that modern chemicals and materials were found embedded in or on the surface of the statues.
Eskenazi, who defends his integrity and reputation, denies the allegations.
The dealer is being accused that he knew the statues were fake and that a modern forger created them. Eskenazi is counter-suing.
In an unusual scene, all the items appeared lined up in the courtroom. The lawyer for the Sheikh told the judge that a goddess statue, known as the ‘Hari Hara’ cost the Sheikh $2.2 million.
Eskenazi’s lawyer insisted that conservation and restoration materials can be left in art objects as residue during the restoration process. He said, “It is wholly implausible that the defendant would risk destroying an impeccable reputation built up over many decades with museums, collectors and scholars by either carelessly or deliberately selling forgeries.”
The judge will be hearing more testimony from experts and will make his decision over the coming weeks.
