Spoils from the destruction of the Old Summer Palace or known famously as 圆明园 burnt down in 1860s by the Anglo French allied during the Second Opium War.
The two animals, rabbit and rat were part of the 12 animals representing the Chinese zodiac were looted during the mass destruction. Currently they are being put up for auction by Yves Saint Laurent Foundation in Paris on 25 February which is today. Latest news, the Chinese Government failed to get an injunction to stop the Christie auction from going ahead.
The people here are absolutely outraged and felt that these 2 relics should be returned to China FREE! This spark off outcries here as it is seen as rubbing salt to the wound to be reminded of the shame of the destruction of the Old Summer Palace. Worse, the perpetrators are now selling and profiting from it.
Currently a campaign is in place to collect signatures to protest. The campaign is held in the old provincial city Nanjing and the Old Summer Palace 圆明园 (at Beijing).
The rabbit and rat heads were part of the relics which were lost during the famous destruction.
These bronzes were once part of a fountain that displayed the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. Five of the bronze animal heads have already been returned to China (bought by a Beijing Enterprise in 2003 during a New York auction), while the whereabouts of five others is unknown.
I bet being a super power now and a lot of mega rich Chinese Biz man, I am sure these 2 relics would be purchased and repatriated back to its motherland. (Also not forgetting the West is now reeling over the financial crisis thus no money to buy. )
Seeing this brought back all the memories of me and Saresha in Reading and in British Museum discussing about the spoils of war the Great Britain looted during the times when they were, GREAT.
I for sure belongs to the group who feels that these loots or spoils should be returned to the owner, where the relics came from.
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