Print the Chinese emperor was sold for 2.2 million dollars

[Евгений]

Printing from white jade, set up in the XVIII century to the emperors of the Qing Dynasty, was sold under the hammer at the auction house of the French Beaussant-Lefevre for 2,2 million dollars (1,68 million euros). AFP notes that the relic was a Chinese buyer, who declined to introduce himself, but said that it is acting in the interest of collectors from France. Before tendering experts estimated the cost of printing in the 396-528 thousand dollars (300-400 thousand euros).
Bidding has attracted considerable media attention, since shortly before the auction management Yuanminyuan Beijing Museum - the Old Summer Palace of the Qing emperors - stated that the print was kidnapped in 1860 by French and British troops. According to the Chinese museum staff, a relic should be returned to the place. PRC authorities claim museum staff has not yet commented.

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Printing was put up for auction the heirs of General Jean de Vassuana Elie (Elie Jean de Vassoigne), who commanded one of the French Connection, fought in 1860 in China. However, according to auctioneers, de Vassuan was in Beijing in the days when European troops burned Yuanminyuan, therefore, he was not involved in the abduction of the relics. But exactly how printing came to the general, is unknown. Therefore, representatives of the house Beaussant-Lefevre found it possible to sell the jade seal of the auction.

Story of the imperial seal resembles the recent scandal surrounding the sale of bronze heads of rabbits and rats at an auction of property Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Berge. These small sculptures, too, have disappeared from Beijing in 1860 during the Second Opium War. Authorities demanded that China return the figures in Beijing, but the auctioneers refused. Then the sculpture at the auction bought for 31.5 million euros a Chinese collector, later admitted that he had no means to pay for the lots. As a result, rats and rabbits returned to Pierre Berge.