A Chinese man, Cai Mingchao, who won a Paris auction for two bronze artworks claimed by China says he will not pay for them.

The sculptures, which sold for 15m euros ($19m; £13m) each last week, were said to have been looted from Beijing in 1860.

Mingchao, who has identified himself as the bidder, is an adviser to China’s National Treasures Fund, which seeks to retrieve looted treasures.

The two bronzes, in the shape of the heads of a rabbit and a rat, were auctioned by Christie’s in Paris last week as part of the estate of the late French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner.

He said his decision to bid for the bronzes had been a “patriotic” act.
“What I want to stress is that this money cannot be paid,” Mr Cai told a news conference.

“I believe that any Chinese person would stand up at this time. I am making an effort to fulfil my own responsibilities,” he said in a statement released by the fund.
“But I must stress that I do not have the money to pay for this,” he said.

Posted: 03|2|09 at 6:11 pm. Filed under: Auction News.