18th Century Sculpture Purchased For Rs. 540 Could Fetch Over Rs. 2.68 Crore at Auction

A marble bust, bought for just £5 (around Rs 540) and used as a doorstop for years, could now sell for over £2.5 million (Rs 2.68 crore). Known as the Bouchardon Bust, the sculpture was created in the early 18th century by renowned French artist Edmé Bouchardon. It features John Gordon, a Scottish landowner and politician, and was initially acquired by the Invergordon Town Council in 1930 to honor him, as he was considered the town’s founder.

The bust, which was intended for display in the local town hall, survived a fire at a 19th-century castle but was misplaced and ended up as a doorstop in an industrial park. It was rediscovered in 1998. Following the council’s request to sell the piece, Tain Sheriff Court in the Scottish Highlands granted approval, with no objections raised during the hearing.

This decision allows the town council to move forward with the sale, which had been recommended after a public consultation earlier this year. By June, the full council had agreed to proceed.

A private overseas buyer has expressed interest in purchasing the bust, offering more than £2.5 million through the prestigious auction house Sotheby’s. The buyer has also pledged to fund a high-quality replica for display locally.

Although the bust has been kept out of local exhibitions due to its high value, it has been showcased abroad, including at the Louvre in Paris in 2016 and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles in 2017.

Following court approval last week, a spokeswoman for the Highland Council mentioned that a legal review could determine if the bust qualifies as a “national treasure” under the Waverley Criteria, which restricts the export of certain items. While no confirmation about an auction has been given yet, the review is expected to be triggered soon.