Gilt-bronze Buddha Statue

United Press International, October 8, 2006

Hong Kong, China -- A gilt-bronze Buddha from the Ming Dynasty has sold for $14.99 million at a Hong Kong auction, setting a world record for a Chinese work of art.

China's official Xinhua News Agency reported the purchase of the 15th century Yongle Shakyamuni at Sotheby's Hong Kong Autumn Sales 2006 on Saturday set a record for the auction sale of Chinese works of art with its nearly $15 million top bid.

The opulent bronze is one of only two Yongle statues of the famed Buddha Shakyamuni that have survived along with their accompanying, but separately made, thrones.