Chinese Advisor Refuses to Pay $36M for Looted Bronzes After Christie's Auction

Cai Mingchao, an adviser to a Chinese foundation, has revealed himself as the anonymous telephone bidder who purchased two bronze fountainheads for $18 million each at Christie's record-breaking auction of the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge collection. He refuses to pay for the artifacts, calling his winning bid an act of patriotism. The three-day auction in February 2009 earned over $484 million but was marked by controversy. China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage had urged Christie's to cancel the sale, arguing the bronzes were looted from Beijing's Summer Imperial Palace in 1860. Dozens of protesters gathered outside the auction house, distributing pamphlets demanding the objects' return. Christie's has declined to comment on the situation. The auction house proceeded with the sale despite the diplomatic pressure and public demonstrations.