Well now, here is a crafty postscript to the humongous Yves Saint Laurent auction that saved the art world: a Chinese insurgent says that he patriotically sabotaged the bidding on the most controversial items.

The Chinese government had strenuously protested the sale of two historic bronze Chinese sculptures, which were looted. Christie's sold them anyhow, for $20.3 million. But to... guess who?

Cai Mingchao, a consultant for China's National Treasure Fund, an organization created to buy back looted and stolen relics, told a press conference in Beijing that he was the mystery telephone bidder who acquired the two 18th century bronze sculptures...The catch: Cai won't pay, possibly nullifying the contentious sale[.]

Ha! This is guerilla artistic political protest, right here. Christie's isn't commenting on what happens now, but hopefully a Mission: Impossible-style art heist will be involved either way. [Portfolio]

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