Mexico urges halt to pre-Columbian art sale in Paris
(Artdaily.org)

The Mexican government called for an auction of pre-Columbian art in Paris on Wednesday to be halted, insisting that 95 works going under the hammer are a part of its cultural heritage. Ambassador Juan Manuel Gomez Robledo also questioned the provenance of the pieces, warning some `could turn out to be imitations`. But auctioneers Millon told AFP the sale would go ahead. Last week it agreed to withdraw a pre-Hispanic artefact from neighbouring Guatemala from the sale. At the Drouot auction house, Millon are selling 120 religious and cultural artefacts from several private collections, including sacral jewellery worn by a shaman. The works were expected to fetch between several hundred and 90,000 euros ($99,000). Under the government of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexico has made the protection of its indigenous heritage a priority.