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Fri 27 Feb, 2009 11:19 am
From a
Times reportQuote:Jackie Chan, the action film star, has thrown his weight behind Beijing’s efforts to shame France over the sale of two looted Chinese sculptures that were part of the Yves Saint Laurent collection.
The bronze rat and rabbit, removed when British and French forces sacked the Old Summer Palace in 1860, were sold for €14 million (£12.5 million) each to two anonymous bidders last night, despite Chinese objections.
Mr Chan said France had behaved disgracefully in allowing the sale. “They remain looted items, no matter whom they were sold to. Whoever took it out [of China] is himself a thief,” he said . “It was looting yesterday. It is still looting today.”
ABC reports:
Quote:The dispute underscores the challenges China faces in trying to recover numerous cultural objects stolen more than a century ago, when plunder was a given in warfare. China estimates there are more than 1 million relics outside the country, scattered among 200 museums in 47 countries.
The Chinese have in recent years intensified efforts to retrieve its relics. When official protests against similar auctions failed, state-owned companies and rich Chinese individuals stepped in to buy the pieces.
State conglomerate China Poly Group bought the Summer Palace tiger head for nearly $2 million from Sotheby's and the monkey and ox heads for $2.05 million from Christie's. The pig and horse heads were later purchased by Chinese business figures for millions of dollars and donated to China. The fates of the other five are unknown.
Christie's auction of the rat and rabbit bronzes did not break any international agreements, but China argued the relics are a part of its cultural heritage and should be returned.
Of course, this isn't the first time. China has a good case.
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