[NYTr] $57 million stolen from Iraqi people in NY auction of Antiquity

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

sent by Andy Pollack

[Forget the Elgin Marbles -- let's see if there's any outcry over this
theft. I don't care how long ago the statuette was stolen, that thing
is Iraqi property. -AP]

The New York Times - Dec 6, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-Ancient-Lion.html

Tiny Limestone Lion Sets Auction Record

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK (AP) -- A 3 1/4-inch limestone lion from ancient Mesopotamia
fetched the highest price ever paid at an auction for a sculpture --
$57 million.

Sotheby's had estimated that the Guennol Lioness would bring up to $18
million.

The tiny figure, found at a site near Baghdad, had been on loan from
Alastair and Edith Martin to the Brooklyn Museum of Art for nearly 60
years. It is thought to be at least 5,000 years old.

The family decided to sell the lion for financial planning reasons, the
auction house said. It was sold through a charitable trust set up by
the Martins, and the proceeds will benefit the trust.

There were at least five bidders at Wednesday's sale. The buyer, who
wished to remain anonymous, entered the bidding at $27 million. The
final price includes the auction house commission.

The previous record for a sculpture at auction was Pablo Picasso's
bronze ''Tete de Femme,'' which sold at Sotheby's earlier this year for
$29 million.