Italian Museum Appeals for Respect After Crystal Chair Incident

Thu Jul 17 2025 13:10:43 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)
Italian Museum Appeals for Respect After Crystal Chair Incident

Palazzo Maffei in Verona calls on visitors to honor art following a couple's mishap that damaged a crystal-covered chair.


In a recent incident at Palazzo Maffei in Italy, a couple accidentally broke a valuable crystal-covered chair, prompting museum officials to urge visitors to treat art with respect and caution.



An incident at the Palazzo Maffei in Verona has prompted a plea for respect for art after a couple was filmed damaging a chair embellished with hundreds of sparkling crystals. The museum shared footage of the moment, captured on camera, where the man appeared to lose his balance and fell onto the so-called "Van Gogh" chair, leading to its destruction. Unfortunately, the couple left the scene before museum staff could intervene.

Vanessa Carlon, the museum director, remarked, "Sometimes we lose our brains to take a picture, and we don't think about the consequences." While she acknowledged that the incident was indeed an accident, she noted the couple’s departure without providing information magnified the problem. Describing it as a "nightmare for any museum," Carlon highlighted the need for awareness among visitors.

The damaged chair, created by artist Nicola Bolla, is adorned with Swarovski crystals made from polished glass and is named in homage to Van Gogh’s iconic painting of a humble chair. It is valued as priceless, as the museum has refrained from giving an estimated worth.

Art historian Carlotta Menegazzo explained that despite the chair's appearance of sturdiness, much of its structure is hollow and it is held together with foil, indicating why it could easily be compromised. The museum had taken precautionary measures, including placing it on a pedestal with a warning note not to touch.

Although the mishap resulted in the chair losing two legs and its main seat, restoration efforts have been successful, and the artwork is now displayed again. Since its opening in 2020, Palazzo Maffei has been home to around 650 exhibits, including works by renowned artists such as Picasso and artifacts from ancient Egypt.

Despite the unfortunate incident, Carlon expressed hope that the release of the CCTV footage would not tarnish the museum's reputation. Instead, she aims to foster a culture of respect among visitors, stating, "Art must be respected and loved because it is very fragile."

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