More information just in on the auction of the veil.

There were just two telephone bidders, but once the hammer went down a representative from the Alençon Museum of Fine Arts and Lace in the room stood up and announced that they were buying the piece. This was due to the French law of pre-emption – once a price has been decided at auction a state museum has the right to step in and buy at that price.

Potential lace buyers – Learn this lesson well, and remember it the next time you bid on a spectacular piece of lace at Drouot.