The statue, named the Bouchardon Bust, was created by the renowned 18th-century French sculptor Edmé Bouchardon. It depicts John Gordon, a Scottish politician from the same era, and was originally bought by the Invergordon Town Council in 1930. It was intended to be displayed in the town hall. However, after a fire destroyed a nearby castle, the statue went missing and remained lost for decades.
For many years, the statue was used as a doorstop in an industrial park. It wasn’t until 1998 that it was rediscovered.
According to a spokesperson for the Scotland Council, the local government that currently owns the statue sought legal permission to sell it, and the court granted approval for the sale to proceed. The legal decision allows the council to move forward with the auction process.
A foreign buyer has expressed strong interest in the statue and has made an offer of over $3.2 million through an auction house. In addition, the buyer has promised to have a high-quality replica of the statue created, which will be displayed in the town council’s offices.
The remarkable journey of this statue—from a $6 purchase to a multi-million-dollar sale—has captured the imagination of many, demonstrating the unexpected and extraordinary value that can be found in forgotten or overlooked objects.
