Experts Value Destroyed Stele at More Than US$3mSpecialists recently revalued an ancient Chinese stele that was reduced to rubble when a car crashed into it more than two years agoat over 25 million yuan ($ US3 million dollars).On June 21, 1999, a white German-built Benz, belonging to Shenyang Fumanlou Food Co Ltd, bumped the stele, breaking the stone tablet into five blocks. Experts hired shortly after the accident by a provincial relic valuation organization estimated the stele's worth at between 25-30 million yuan (US $3.0-3.6 million). The Imperial Palace of Shenyang, owner of the stele, subsequently sued Shenyang Fumanlou Food Co Ltd. and claimed compensation of 27 million yuan (US $3.25 million dollars). Fumanlu described the price tag estimate as baseless and refused to pay. Court appointed specialists made a second valuation this month and claimed the stele was worth at least 25 million yuan. The "Xiama" stele, inscribed with characters written in 5 languages, was erected in 1785 at the gate of the then emperor's residence as a sign for visitors to dismount from horses and carriages. Source: China Daily |
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