WATCH: Selfie-snapping tourists break crystal-encrusted 'Van Gogh' chair in Italian museum

CapeTalk's Pippa Hudson (in for John Maytham) talks to Vanessa Carlon Valerio from the Palazzo Maffei in Verona.

A museum in Italy lodged a case with the police after careless visitors damaged a fragile exhibit when they ignored warnings and tried to sit on it for photographs.

The couple were caught by security cameras while taking selfies with the 'Van Gogh's Chair', which is encrusted in Swarovski crystals.

The piece exhibited in the Palazzo Maffei in Verona, is an artwork by Nicola Bolla referencing Vincent van Gogh's 1888 painting of a rustic chair with a straw seat.

The damage to the work was not deliberate - it seems the selfie-snappers took things too far.

While the woman managed to pull off pretending to sit on the chair, the man fell backwards on to the seat.

The pair quickly fled the scene to avoid detection.

Pippa Hudson interviews Vanessa Carlon Valerio from the Palazzo Maffei Verona.

Valerio says the museum has since managed to find specialised restorers to repair the damage, but the value of the chair has been affected.

They have also launched a campaign to raise awareness to prevent 'accidents'.

"Once the visitors are out they're out, and the damage is done! We want to raise awareness because we want people who visit museums or places where art is exhibited to enjoy the works, but understand that art is meant to be respected."

Vanessa Carlon Valerio, Casa Museo Palazzo Maffei

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the conversation