The Repatriation of Plundered Chinese Art

Memory of art objects lost through military plunder and forced sales is keener in China than the West. But the aborted auction of two bronze statues in Paris, in February 2009, reminds us all of this persistent issue. In this short piece, I will review the recent odyssey of the questionable bronzes to embed the failed sale in a political context. The repatriation of plundered art is a symbolic issue, with deep emotional resonance. China’s economic ascent comes as the international arts establishment is in disarray, forcing Beijing to consider how important the return of plundered art should be within China’s broader global ambitions.