Suspected Fake Dali's Confiscated By Spanish Police in Madrid

Thursday, 22 January 2009 21:53

 

MADRID, SPAIN - Police in Spain announced that they have confiscated dozens of suspected fake Dali works of art that were going to be sold in the town of Estepona. Police seized a total of 81 works. Around twelve of them could be genuine works by Salvador Dali and are alike to ones that were reported stolen in Belgium, France and the United States, according to lists held by Spanish police and Interpol. The art works are sculptures, bas-reliefs, cutlery, textile pieces and lithographs.

According to the police one of the suspected fake works of an elephant with an obelisk saddle was planned to sell for $1.5 million. The police plan to check the authenticity of the works with the Gala Salvador Dali Foundation.

An official stated, "The immense majority of the pieces are fake. But we particularly need to check the serial numbers of the 12 pieces that might be the stolen ones with the Dali Foundation."

The police also announced they arrested a French man who transported the pieces from France to the town of Estepona for exhibition and sale at a hotel. The French man was charged with fraud and forgery. According to officials, they also found forged authenticity certificates.

According to a pole official they intervened before the exhibition and sale could take place. It is not known when the sale was scheduled. The French man had not requested the customary special security for these kind of events and this raised their suspicions.

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