Stanley Ho splurges on ancient throne

Tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun bets almost HK$14 million of his chips to win an ornate Qing dynasty throne for a world-record price. He placed his HK$13.76 million bid by phone to buy the dragon lacquer throne at a Christie's auction in Hong Kong. The auctioneers said Mr Ho told them he would put the throne in his new casino, the Grand Lisboa. The throne, from the reign of emperor Kangxi (1654-1722), sold at almost quadruple the previous record price.