In a peculiar turn of fate, a centuries-old bust valued at £2.5 million ($3.2 million) may soon be auctioned after spending years propping open a shed door in a Scottish industrial park. This remarkable sculpture, the “Bouchardon Bust,” depicts 18th-century landowner and politician John Gordon and was crafted by acclaimed French sculptor Edmé Bouchardon. Originally purchased for a mere £5 ($6), the bust’s astonishing story has culminated in a recent decision by Scotland’s Tain Sheriff Court, giving Invergordon Town Council the legal right to sell it.
The bust has an intriguing history of neglect. Acquired by Invergordon Town Council in 1930, it was meant to honor Gordon, a historical figure credited with founding the town. However, instead of gracing a prominent location, it was misplaced, relegated to the background, and ultimately forgotten until it resurfaced in 1998 as a doorstop on an industrial site. This bizarre usage, echoing the fate of other rediscovered treasures, has added a curious layer to its legacy.
The council’s recent efforts to secure court permission to sell the sculpture came after a private overseas buyer expressed interest through Sotheby’s, proposing a substantial offer exceeding £2.5 million. In a gesture aimed at preserving local cultural heritage, the anonymous buyer also committed to financing a museum-quality replica for display within the community.
Despite its significant value, the bust was never displayed locally due to security concerns. However, it traveled abroad, appearing briefly in prominent exhibitions at the Louvre in Paris in 2016 and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles in 2017. This limited exposure underscored the bust’s importance and potential allure to art institutions and private collectors alike.
Public sentiment regarding the sale was gauged earlier this year, with council committees ultimately endorsing the transaction. Their recommendation reflects a practical approach, balancing cultural heritage with the financial gain that could benefit the local area. However, the bust’s journey to the auction house is not yet guaranteed. A legal review based on the Waverley Criteria—standards designed to protect significant UK artworks from leaving the country—may still come into play, potentially impacting the export and sale of this “national treasure.”
With parallels to other rediscovered objects of value, such as a Michigan meteorite-turned-doorstop sold for $75,000 in 2018, the Bouchardon Bust serves as a powerful reminder of art’s unpredictable journey and the ways objects of immense value can reside unnoticed in the most unassuming settings. Whether the bust will indeed go under the hammer remains uncertain, but its story has already secured it a lasting place in art lore.
