Statue Sold Amid Mongolia’s Move to Block Auction

A 17th century Mongolian bronze figure was sold for 3.46 million euros ($4.3 million) at an auction in Paris on Dec. 11 despite the Mongolian government’s efforts to block the sale.

The statue of female Buddhist deity Tara came from the workshop of the 17th century artist Zanabazar, and Mongolia suspects it may have been removed to France illegally, Culture Minister Luvsannyam Gantumur wrote in a letter on Dec. 10. The figure was expected to fetch as much as 300,000 euros.