[CPProt.net] UK: Appeal Hearing on £1.9M Vases Case

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Appeal Hearing on £1.9M Vases Case 

By Jan Colley, PA 


A legal dispute over the authenticity of the Houghton vases returns to court
today.

Art collector Taylor Thomson, the 41-year-old daughter of Lord Thomson of
Fleet, and auction house Christie’s are both challenging aspects of a High
Court judge’s ruling over the ornate porphyry and ormolu urns.

Ms Thomson bought them for £1.9 million at auction in December 1994 as part
of a sale from the Marquess of Cholmondeley’s Norfolk seat, Houghton Hall.

They had an estimate of £400,000 to £600,000 and were described in the
catalogue as 18th century Louis XV vases designed around 1760 for Philip
Duke of Parma or a courtier by Ennemond-Alexandre Petitot.

Ms Thomson claimed that they were, in fact, inferior 19th century imitations
worth £30,000 at most.

She sued for her £1.9 million back plus 10 years’ interest.

Christie’s case, based on expert evidence, was that there was not a “shadow
of a doubt” that the vases were genuine.

In a complex judgment last May, Mr Justice Jack ruled in Ms Thomson’s
favour.

He concluded that he could not be certain the urns were made in the 18th
century – around 1760 to 1765 – but he thought it was 70% likely.

He also concluded that Christie’s dating of the urns as Louis XV without
qualification was an opinion which an auctioneer of their standing could
reasonably reach – and that there was no breach of duty on their part in
that regard.

But, he did think that Christie’s cataloguing fell below the standard to be
expected in several respects, which resulted in an “unjustified” feeling of
confidence and certainty about the urns.

He concluded that Christie’s gave “what was in the circumstances an
incomplete picture and Ms Thomson was entitled to a fuller one”.

The circumstances required them to tell her that the dating of objects in
this area was unusually difficult because of copies and imitations of 18th
century items which were made in the Second Empire and following.

Had Ms Thomson been told of the 19th century revivalist fashion and of the
difficulties which it introduced, she would not have bid.

The hearing in the Court of Appeal before Lord Justice May, Lord Justice
Jonathan Parker and Lady Justice Smith is expected to last up to seven days.



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