Man sues for purchase of 'fake' antique painting
A man in the US is suing a gallery.
An antique painting is at the centre of a lawsuit launched by a man in the US who claims he was duped into purchasing it for$25,000 (£16,264). The Springfield News Sun said Jason Colier of Cleveland,Georgia, is suing because the work of art is allegedly a fake.
Damages totalling $125,000 are being sought by Mr Colier for charges including civil conspiracy, unjust enrichment and violating the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act. He believed the French Impressionist painting was advertised by Berner Auction Gallery in 2008 as "important museum-quality rare art" - but according to court documents, a Christie's expert later deemed the antique painting to have "virtually no value".
The news comes days after a depiction of outlaw Ned Kelly went up for auction in Australia. Paul Fraser Collectibles observed said the antique painting bySidney Nolan fetched AU$5.4 million (£3.3 million) under the hammer, bought by a phone bidder who opted to remain anonymous.