Tiny limestone lion sets auction record (Mesopotamian lioness goes for $57 million)

AP/Miami Herald ^ | 12/6/2007 | Staff

[mojito]

NEW YORK -- A 3 1/4-inch limestone lion from ancient Mesopotamia fetched the highest price ever paid at an auction for a sculpture - $57 million.

Sotheby's had estimated that the Guennol Lioness would bring up to $18 million.

The tiny figure, found at a site near Baghdad, had been on loan from Alastair and Edith Martin to the Brooklyn Museum of Art for nearly 60 years. It is thought to be at least 5,000 years old.

The family decided to sell the lion for financial planning reasons, the auction house said. It was sold through a charitable trust set up by the Martins, and the proceeds will benefit the trust.

There were at least five bidders at Wednesday's sale. The buyer, who wished to remain anonymous, entered the bidding at $27 million. The final price includes the auction house commission.

The previous record for a sculpture at auction was Pablo Picasso's bronze "Tete de Femme," which sold at Sotheby's earlier this year for $29 million.

[mojito]

Picture at the link.

[goldstategop]

57 million for a figurette sculpture. I'll have to remember that when I look at the knicknacks on display in my curio cabinet.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Dr. Sivana]

Well, at least Larry Ellison didn’t buy it.

[Vaquero]

[Socratic]

Ah, the long-lost Schwarzenegger Trophy.

[mnehring]

The family decided to sell the lion for financial planning reasons

That should take care of a lot of planning.

[Alter Kaker]

It’s gorgeous. Not sure I’d spend $57 million on it, but it’s stunning.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

I saw the picture of the lion in the last issue of Biblical Archaeology.

Nice price.

[thefactor]

my thought as well. what a piece! absolutely gorgeous. i wonder about its history.

[rightinthemiddle]

“Hey, I didn’t see that chipped place...”

[6SJ7]

Dec 6, 7047 -  A 24-inch plastic flamingo from ancient Flor-ada-Usa fetched the highest price ever paid at an auction for a lawn ornament - $57 trillion. The figure, found at a site near My-ham-me, had been on loan from Altair and Endor Martian to the New Brooklyn Museum of Art for nearly 60 years. It is thought to be at least 5,000 years old.

[rightinthemiddle]

Oops.

[Red Badger]

Ping!......

[Tijeras_Slim]

That’s very cool.

[Red Badger]

Bird Flu Strikes Florida!............

[numberonepal]

This may be GGG worthy.

[Red Badger]

I bet it was a gamepiece of some sort........

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I have that pic as “Bird flu strikes Parma!”

[Liberty Valance]

I wonder if the former members of Spinal Tap bid on this item...

[DejaJude]

Are they sure that isn’t a Picasso? Looks like one to me.