Amarna Princess - Reactions and Current Status

Reactions and Current Status

After the trial, Bolton Museum scrambled to distance itself and described itself as "blameless". The museum insisted that it had followed established procedure, though they called George Greenhalgh "a nice old man who had no idea of the significance of what he owned." As more than one commentator has noted: "We are never more likely to be vulnerable to a cheat than when we ourselves are trying to diddle someone out of a masterpiece."

Councillor Barbara Ronson, of Bolton Council, was "shocked" to learn that the statue was a fake, and promised the council would be carrying out its own investigation. "You wonder how something like this could happen with the modern technology available." Stephen Johnson, National Heritage Memorial Fund Director was "extremely shocked." He said "the National Heritage Memorial Fund has not been in this position before in its 26-year history."

Both the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the National Art Collection Fund indicated that they might seek to recover their monies, as it had not been used for the "Approved Purposes;" while Bolton Museum said the Council too, expected to receive compensation.

However, the presiding judge, William Morris, exonerated the institution and any Council staff involved, preferring to focus on what he saw as "misapplied" talent and an "ambitious conspiracy," and emphasised the sophistication of the deception. One art expert said "the Amarna Princess ... is a reminder that the really good fakes in public and private collections haven't been spotted yet."

At the end of its statement, Bolton Museum acknowledged the new status of the statue as a forgery; it is now part of a touring exhibition on fake art.