The plaintiffs purchased a plaster sculpture attributed to Auguste Rodin and loaned it to the defendant art gallery to obtain a charitable tax credit.
The authenticity of the sculpture was subsequently challenged by the Musée Rodin, causing the tax certification to fail.
The defendant terminated the loan agreement and requested the plaintiffs arrange for the sculpture's return.
When the plaintiffs failed to do so, the defendant shipped the sculpture to a storage facility, during which it sustained severe damage.
The plaintiffs sued for damages, and the defendant counterclaimed for storage fees.
The court found that the loan agreement had terminated and the defendant was acting as an involuntary bailee.
As an involuntary bailee, the defendant's duty was only to refrain from intentional or reckless damage.
The court held the defendant met this standard by using the original packing crate, especially given the sculpture's lack of proven authenticity and value.
The plaintiffs' claim was dismissed, and the defendant's counterclaim for storage fees was granted.
