£1.4 million bust of reputed founder of Invergordon could be sold
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Members of a Highland Council committee are to decided the fate of a bust depicting the man reputed to have founded Invergordon.
Members of the Easter Ross area committee will decide next week what the next steps will be for the historic Bouchardon Bust in Invergordon.
The bust depicts late landowner and MP Sir John Gordon and was created by Edmé Bouchardon in the early 18th century whilst the artist was resident in Rome and Sir John was on his Grand Tour. It is owned by the Invergordon Common Good fund.
The artwork is said to be an innovative creation in a style which wouldn’t be more widely seen until the latter part of the 18th century and has been described by experts at Sotheby’s as being, “brilliant in execution”.
Members of the Easter Ross area committee agreed at a meeting in February last year that work would be undertaken on an options appraisal and outline business case should a future decision be made to sell the bust on behalf of the Invergordon Common Good Fund.
It has previously been valued at £1.4 million.
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At Monday’s meeting members will be asked to explore the potential of selling the bust and consider the assessment of the various sale options and the expert advice provided by Sotheby's.
If Members agree to explore this, the first step will be a public consultation on the proposal to dispose of the bust, in line with the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.
This will seek the views of the wider Invergordon community.
The bust has been in the physical possession of Highland Council for over 60 years though precise ownership details were not clarified until 2019, from Invergordon Town Council minutes.
The minutes of January 6, 1931, held at the Inverness Archive Centre, revealed that, “the Provost, Cllr MacLeod and the Town Clerk were asked to visit Kindeace House Sale and endeavour to purchase the Bust of John Gordon said to be the founder of Invergordon and to offer up to £5 for same.”
The minutes also showed a Treasurer’s Ledger (14/1/30) stating, “…paid S R Beauchamp Bust Sir John Gordon, £5.” The Town Council minutes from 3/2/30 stated, “The Council agreed to have the Sir John Gordon bust placed in the Town Hall, the position to be pointed out.”
