A single lot sale dedicated to the Min Fanglei, the world's most valuable Chinese archaic bronze, has been halted after a consortium of collectors negotiated a private sale.
 The Min Fanglei was produced in China in the 12th-11th century BC |
The bronze, which last sold for $9.2m in 2001, will be installed within the Hunan Museum in south central China, where it will be reunited with its lid.
Steven P Murphy, CEO of Christie's, commented: "As always, it is our duty to be a responsible steward of the important cultural objects that are entrusted to our care.
"Christie's feels privileged to have acted as custodian of the 'Min' Fanglei and to have facilitated its transfer."
The new price for the bronze, which had been due to auction on March 20, has not been announced.
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