the art collectors

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

Plot Thickens Over Laurent Looted Art Controversy

One of the two controversial sculptures is auctioned at Christie’s in Paris, on Feb. 25th.
Image: Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images

The controversy over two Chinese relics looted during the second Opium War some 150 years ago, and sold at last week’s record shattering Yves St. Laurent auction, has taken an unexpected turn. Prior to the Feb. 25th sale, a Parisian court rejected the Association for the Protection of Chinese Art in Europe’s appeal to have the pieces returned to the Chinese government.

Now, it looks as if the winning bidder, antiques collector and Chinese auction house owner, Cai Mingchao, has no intention of making good on his $40 million purchase. It seems Mr. Cai’s actions are an intentional political manoeuvre, attempting to drum up publicity over the disputed statues and larger concern over the sale of looted Asian art. ”I have done my part. I am not going to pay,” said Cai at a news conference in Beijing on Monday.

Interestingly enough, Mr. Cai advises the Lost Cultural Relics Recovery Foundation, which is overseen by China’s Ministry of Culture.  Yet, a spokesperson for the government agency overtly avoided any official stance on Cai’s actions, instead choosing to speak in broader terms.

“We ask that the relics be returned to China…I urge everyone to pay attention to what is the essence of this issue. These cultural relics belong to China, they were looted by the West in time of war and illegally taken abroad,” stated  Qin Gang, speaking on behalf of China’s Foreign Ministry.

Christie’s is holding the art in France and has not commented on its next move, which could include suing Mr. Cai for breach of contract and re-offering the tainted treasures at a lower price to the next highest bidder. Pierre Berge (Laurent’s lifelong partner who brought the 700+ lots to auction) on the other hand, has been quite vocal on the situation.

“I am prepared to offer this bronze head to the Chinese straight away, he said. “All they have to do is to declare they are going to apply human rights, give the Tibetans back their freedom and agree to accept the Dalai Lama on their territory. If they do that, I would be very happy to go myself and bring these two Chinese heads to put them in the Summer Palace in Beijing. It’s obviously blackmail but I accept that.”

Video coverage and extensive reporting of Cai Mingchao’s press conference, courtesy of China’s Xinhua news agency here

Read more here:
The Guardian
Bloomberg
The London Telegraph
Wall Street Journal