Six photographic reproductions of the famous Bayeux tapestry, a medieval masterpiece recounting the epic tale of William the Conqueror, were produced in the 19th century.
There are only three left in the world today.
And the Bayeux museum has just acquired one of them!
“It’s in a way the first advertising object designed at the time to allow everyone to see the Bayeux tapestry,” rejoices Antoine Vernet, curator of the city’s museums.
And the beautiful story doesn't end there.
Because this exceptional replica was part of the private collection of Charlie Watts... The Rolling Stones drummer who died in 2021. Part of his collections of records, books but also this astonishing piece, were sold at auction in September 2023. It It was on this occasion that the Bayeux museum acquired it.
The tapestry will be exhibited at the museum in 2027
“We followed the auctions out of curiosity, thinking that they would skyrocket.
But when we saw that the sale wasn't taking off, we called the mayor who was on the train.
He gave us the green light and we positioned ourselves,” explains Antoine Vernet.
Against all expectations, the museum acquired this extremely rare replica for 16,000 pounds sterling, or 18,600 euros.
Visitors will still have to wait to admire it since it is not expected to appear in the collections before 2027.