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China Slams Auction of Looted Relics

Christie's denies request to halt sale of Beijing palace booty

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 26, 2009 6:42 AM CST

(Newser) – A Christie's auction of two relics looted from Beijing's Summer Palace 150 years ago has infuriated China, the BBC reports. A statement from the country's cultural agency denounced the "illegal" sale and warned of unspecified consequences. The bronze rat and rabbit, seized by invading French and British troops, sold for almost $40 million in the Paris sale of the collection of the late Yves St. Laurent.

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A rare bronze rabbit head made for the zodiac fountain of the emperor Qianlong's summer Palace is auctioned at the Grand Palais in Paris. (AP Photo/Jacques brinon)

A rare bronze rat head made for the zodiac fountain of the emperor Qianlong's summer Palace is auctioned at the Grand Palais in Paris. (AP Photo/Jacques brinon)

A rare bronze rat head made for the zodiac fountain of the emperor Qianlong's summer Palace during China's Qing Dynasty is sold at the Grand Palais in Paris. (AP Photo/Jacques brinon)

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The State Administration of Cultural Heritage does not recognize the illegal owners of the looted relics and will continue to utilize all necessary channels to recover all relics stolen and illegally exported throughout history. - Statement from China's cultural agency

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China Slams Auction of Looted Relics