Renowned French art expert Bill Pallot faces trial for allegedly fabricating 18th-century furniture, selling it at high prices to buyers such as the Palace of Versailles. Alongside five others, Pallot is charged with orchestrating the forgery between 2008 and 2015, marking a major art scandal.
Pallot, recognized for his expertise in 18th-century French furniture, gained notoriety with his publications and media presence. Dubbed "Père la chaise" (father of the chair), after Paris’s Père Lachaise cemetery. He and co-defendant and famous woodcarver Bruno Desnoues allegedly crafted and sold chairs falsely attributed to historical figures, like the mistress of Louis XV, and Marie Antoinette.
The fraudulent activities remained unnoticed until 2014, leading to an investigation that uncovered the extent of the scam in 2016. In response, the Ministry of Culture ordered an audit of Versailles' acquisition practices.
Source: www.theguardian.com