The YSL art auction last March at Christie’s in Paris caused a lot of talk, media attention, and controversy. However, what I’d like to address is the follow-up to the at first anonymous Chinese bidder (Cai Mingchao),who refused to pay the hammer price of $40.2 million for two works he won through a phone bid: Rat and Rabbit head relics. Here’s a video giving an overview:

Although he acted on behalf of China, he did not have the direct support of the government. He refused to pay because he insisted the relics belonged to Chinese culture since they were originally taken by French and British looters during the 1860s second opium war. The relics have been returned to Pierre Berge, YSL’s partner. He said the relics will be gladly returned to China if the Chinese would free Tibet and bring the Dalai Lama back to his homeland. Another exciting moment in the art world, full of drama, history, rights, and an example of how value can be instilled into an art object by circumstance.

These relics, usually, would be of no interest other to a Chinese nationalist. However, now because of this scandal, it’s become a component of history, a subject of dispute,a symbol of Sino-Franco relations, and represents a debate over ethics and what belongs to whom. The price is likely going to rise because of this event if it ever appears in a sale again.

Here’s an article that explains it in more detail.