Qatari sheikh ‘lost millions in fraud over ancient art’

A LONDON art dealer has been accused of defrauding a Qatari sheikh by selling him fake ancient statues for £4.2 million.

John Eskenazi, a specialist in Asian works of art, is being sued by art collector Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah althani, the cousin of the emir of Qatar.

Sheikh Hamad claims he paid “top dollar” for seven pieces of art, including a $2.2 million (£1.8 million) statue of the goddess Hari Hara, after being told they were up to 2,000 years old. But modern materials were identified in one of the items, he says, and they are too wellpreserved to be so old.

Mr Eskenazi, 72, and his company are being sued over allegations that the artworks were made by “a modern forger” and that Mr Eskenazi knew the most expensive one was fake.

Mr Eskenazi is contesting the claim, denies all the allegations and says any traces of modern materials have been deposited during restoration works.

He is counter-suing for a declaration that all the works – which were lined up before a judge at the High Court – are real and authentic.

The judge is to hear competing evidence from art history and archaeology experts over the coming week.

The trial continues.