Backing for sale of bust that could be worth millions

Highland Council could be set to sell a historic sculpture bought for £5 which could make almost £3m at auction.

The marble bust of Highland landowner Sir John Gordon was made by French artist Edmé Bouchardon in 1728.

Invergordon Town Council bought the artwork in 1930, but over the years it became forgotten before being rediscovered.

Highland Council's insurers have warned against putting the artwork on public display due to how valuable it is, while the majority of respondents to a newly-completed public consultation supported selling it.

Last year Highland Council said it had been approached by an overseas private buyer, via auction company Sotheby's, about purchasing the bust for more than £2.5m.

Proceeds of any sale would go to Invergordon Common Good Fund, which helps provide money for community groups and projects.

Local councillors meeting next week are to be asked to agree that a recommendation be put to the full council supporting the sale.

Highland Council's consultation received almost 70 responses, and 48 were in favour of selling the sculpture.

Sir John was an MP whose family owned land in Easter Ross and also gave their name to the town of Invergordon on the Cromarty Firth.

Bouchardon created sculptures for the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, the former home of French royalty, and also made the Fontaine des Quatre-Saisons in rue de Grenelle, Paris.

About 200 years after he made his sculpture of Sir John, it was bought by Invergordon Town Council for £5.

It was then thought to have been mislaid and lost during local government reorganisation. One local account tells of it turning up as a doorstop on industrial estate.