Background: Stolen Chinese artifacts

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Yuanmingyuan was built in the 18th century.

In 1860, the Anglo-French Allied Army looted and burned down the magnificent imperial palace complex. The water clock fountain was also destroyed and the 12 animal head sculptures were stolen.

Five of the 12 heads have been retrieved, at a high  price.

Five of the 12 heads have been retrieved, at a high price.

The state-owned China Poly Group purchased the heads of ox, monkey and tiger sculptures at auctions for over four million US dollars in 2000.

Macao tycoon Stanley Ho bought the boar head in 2003 and the horse head in 2007 at a cost of nearly 10 million US dollars. Ho donated the treasures to the motherland.

Macao tycoon Stanley Ho bought the boar head in  2003 and the horse head in 2007 at a cost of  nearly 10 million US dollars. Ho donated the  treasures to the motherland.

The mouse and rabbit heads are the only two pieces known to exist outside China. The whereabouts of the remaining five animals is unknown.

Editor:Zhang Ning