People are very persuasive in Mr. Palot, because about 40 years ago he wrote a book on the subject: “The Art of the French 18th Century President”, which included a preface to his friend, antique lover and fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.
Now, Mr. Palot may use his knowledge of art history to deceive some of the most respected antique experts and buyers.
On Tuesday, after years of investigation by French police, Mr. Palot and five other allegedly held a criminal trial in Pontonis near Paris brought fake plans to unsuspecting buyers who were accused of trafficking freight with vintage furniture.
In 2016, the French Ministry of Culture issued a statement saying that police were investigating the authenticity of furniture worth 2.7 million euros (about 2.9 million US dollars), including two Louis XV chairs purchased by Versailles. The investigation concluded that they were not real and were arrested the same year. In 2017, the scandal also changed the way French authorities identify antiques.
But suspicion of Mr. Palot has begun to surface, most notably his antique dealer and former student Charles Hooreman, who shared his concerns with Pallot as well as buyers and French authorities.
