When an old vase found in her late sister's house went under the hammer for $92 million Gene Johnson and her son Anthony watched in amazement as they realised they were going to share a fortune. However, 15 months later the family is not a penny richer as the Quianglong dynasty imperial vase has not yet been paid for.
A Chinese property billionaire was named as the buyer after one of his agents was reportedly banned from registering for a Quianglong dynasty scroll in Toulouse after the alleged non-payment. This has fueled speculation that the Chinese government sabotages sales by having agents buy pieces and then refuse to pay because it believes the antiquities were looted from China and should not be sold.
Image: The Quianglong dynasty imperial vase that went under the hammer for $92 million
