In France, a special auction is due to take place this Sunday, May 26. Among the hundreds of objects offered for sale: a replica of Jean-Bedel Bokassa’s throne. A very imposing seat, a faithful reproduction of the one on which the former emperor of Central Africa sat.
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“ So here is the object, here is the throne. » He barely fits into the stable where he is stored, he is so imposing. Four meters by three, a red velvet seat carved from the body of an eagle with wings gilded with gold leaf. . “ It is all solid mahogany, gilded with leaf. The seat is carved from the eagle’s belly and upholstered in padded velvet, as was the original throne », Describes Rémi Le Forestier, maker of the throne.
Rémi Le Forestier is used to making seats for cinema and television, or for shopping centers at Christmas time. But this time, he’s taken on a different style of throne. “ For me, it’s a bit like the king of thrones, but it was a way of showing our clients that if we are capable of creating the throne of Bokassa through its complexity, because it is very large, we are capable to reproduce any style of furniture “, he emphasizes.
Price at 10,000 euros
According to him, the original has been damaged and its carcass is still located in the Bangui sports center. Hence the value of this replica, priced at 10,000 euros. “ The buzz came naturally, it aroused interest, explains Maître Rouillac, the auctioneer. In 40 years of career, we have sold very large paintings, furniture that was offered to us. That, we said to ourselves, it’s a new challenge, let’s go for it. »
It remains to find a buyer for this object which will be sold this Sunday at the same time as another unusual object: a scooter that belonged to the former President of the French Republic, François Hollande.