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Jade seal of Old Summer Palace auctioned in Paris
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-04-30 12:48

Jade seal of Old Summer Palace auctioned in Paris

This undated picture made available April 29, 2009 shows a Chinese imperial seal, which was auctioned off on early Thursday by French auctioneer Drouot.[CFP]

Paris -- An 18th-century Chinese imperial seal was sold for €1.68 million (US$2.2 million) at a Paris auction despite protests from China.

The white jade seal, which was looted from Beijing's Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) in 1860 by British and French forces, was bought by a Chinese bidder who refused to give his name. He said he was acting for an art collector in France.

The seal is from the collection of a descendant of Elie Jean de Vassoigne, a French general who commanded some the troops in China.

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