Unknown Bidder Wins Old Kettle
Xinhua
_____
Beijing, (China):
A bronze kettle from the Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century - 770 BC) was sold for 24 million yuan (US$2.98 million) at an auction yesterday - a record for ancient Chinese bronzeware sold in the country.
"A Chinese American collector asked us to auction the piece. It came with a clear provenance (record of ownership)," said Ji Chongjian, the owner of Shanghai Chongyuan Auction House. "Many hoped this national treasure could return to China."
But an unknown bidder on site walked away with the bronzeware, leaving a mystery as to where the piece will end up.
At a height of 58 centimeters, the kettle weighs about 16 kilograms and is one of the original pair kept in the Forbidden City in Beijing. The other one is in the Taipei Palace Museum in Taiwan Province, but its lid is missing.
Jan 06, 2006
Xinhua
_____
Beijing, (China):
A bronze kettle from the Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century - 770 BC) was sold for 24 million yuan (US$2.98 million) at an auction yesterday - a record for ancient Chinese bronzeware sold in the country.
"A Chinese American collector asked us to auction the piece. It came with a clear provenance (record of ownership)," said Ji Chongjian, the owner of Shanghai Chongyuan Auction House. "Many hoped this national treasure could return to China."
But an unknown bidder on site walked away with the bronzeware, leaving a mystery as to where the piece will end up.
At a height of 58 centimeters, the kettle weighs about 16 kilograms and is one of the original pair kept in the Forbidden City in Beijing. The other one is in the Taipei Palace Museum in Taiwan Province, but its lid is missing.
Jan 06, 2006
