-
Advertisement
ChinaPolitics

China bans looted antiques from going under hammer at mainland auction houses

Beijing also has priority in buying precious antiques, according to latest regulations

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Three bronze heads, of a monkey, a tiger and an ox, are display at a private museum in Beijing in May 2000 after they were bought by a mainland company at an auction in Hong Kong. Considered national treasures from the old Summer Palace, the looted relics sparked an outcry from Chinese media, scholars and politicians when they were put up for sale. Photo: AFP
Nectar Gan

China has banned the auction of antiques looted from the country throughout history in its latest regulation on cultural relic auctions.

The document, issued by the State Administration on Cultural Heritage on October 20 and released on its website on Monday, stated that all cultural relics that were stolen, illegally unearthed, smuggled or looted from China would be banned from being auctioned in the country.

It also said the Chinese government had priority in buying precious antiques.

Advertisement
Imperial Chinese bronzes were auctioned by Christie’s on behalf of Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Berge in February 2009, despite pleas for them to be returned to China. Photos: AFP
Imperial Chinese bronzes were auctioned by Christie’s on behalf of Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Berge in February 2009, despite pleas for them to be returned to China. Photos: AFP
An imperial Chinese bronze rabbit’s head is auctioned by Christie's in February 2009, after a French judge ruled that two bronze heads, which British and French forces looted from the old Summer Palace in Beijing towards the end of the Second Opium War, could go under the hammer. Photo: AFP
An imperial Chinese bronze rabbit’s head is auctioned by Christie's in February 2009, after a French judge ruled that two bronze heads, which British and French forces looted from the old Summer Palace in Beijing towards the end of the Second Opium War, could go under the hammer. Photo: AFP
Advertisement

According to the regulation, the administration can appoint state-owned relic collection agencies to procure such pieces from their consignors at an agreed price. Those artefacts would no longer be accepted for auction.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x