These bronze heads are at the centre of what's brewing to be a political storm. The rabbit and rat heads were part of a large fountain at the Summer Pavilion when it was plundered in 1860 by French and English troops during a humiliating period of Chinese history aka the Opium Wars.

They've been traded, legally or illegally, ever since. Until they landed into the collection of the late fashion designer Yves St Laurent. When they were put on auction just last month, the Chinese government stepped in to ask for their return. However, Christies and Pierre Berge (St Laurent's partner) refused. In fact, M. Berge offered to return them if China freed Tibet (which is an entirely different political argument altogether). The French court backed the sale saying China has little claim to the bronzes, since it was looted over a century ago.

Hmm... I suppose if the Mona Lisa was stolen during Germany's invasion during WWII and spirited out of the country, and sold several times over the years, and then appeared on auction in about 100 years, France should just zip it because the last owner bought it legally. And Christie's would be allowed to sell it. HA! You know that that would never happen. By the way, she was stolen in 1911, and rediscovered in 1913.

So it gave me great satisfaction to hear that the Chinese collector who bought it, now has no intention of paying for it. He did it as a patriotic act to stop the sale, embarrassing France and Christie's in the process.

Christie's could always re-sell the bronzes but the unwanted media attention and notoriety will render them undesirable to collectors. Perhaps now they'll be returned to China.

Labels: General, News