"Frenchman Will Return to China Prized Bronze Artifacts Looted in 19th Century"

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"The offer to return the heads came from François-Henri Pinault, one of 60 high-powered Frenchmen who are accompanying the French president,François Hollande, this week on his first visit to China. Mr. Hollande is seeking to strengthen diplomatic and trade relations with China, and also brought eight cabinet ministers."

"The bronzes emerged as a point of contention between China and France in 2009, when Christie’s auction house handled the sale of the French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent’s vast art collection after his death. Mr. Pinault is the chief executive officer of Kering, the company that owns Christie’s."

"The two bronzes, a rat head and a rabbit head, were among 12 animal heads, replicating the Chinese zodiac, in a central fountain clock at the palace, spewing water to tell time. All disappeared after the palace, also known as Yuanmingyuan and used by rulers of the Qing dynasty, was destroyed by Western troops in 1860."

Edward Wong and Steven Erlanger, The New York Times, April 30, 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/27/world/europe/frenchman-will-return-to-china-prized-bronze-artifacts-looted-in-19th-century.html?_r=0