An art collection by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé goes on sale at a Christie's auction in Paris. The collection, qualified as unique
by its eclectic composition, is estimated to reach between 200 and 300 million euros.

PARIS, FRANCE (FEBRUARY 23, 2009) REUTERS -
The huge art collection of the late Yves Saint Laurent went on sale
on Monday (February 23) in the biggest art auction Paris has seen in
years.

The collection is being sold by auctioneers Christie's in the Grand
Palais museum on the Champs Elysees. The estimated proceeds of up to 300
million euros (377.3 million U.S. dollars) are going to medical research.
Created over five decades by the designer and his business partner and
companion Pierre Berge, the art collection has been described as one of the
most important in private hands.

Saint Laurent, whose clothing designs revolutionised women's fashion,
died at the age of 71 last year and bequeathed his share of the collection to
the charitable foundation he set up with Berge.

Its 733 pieces range from paintings by artists including Picasso,
Matisse and Degas to 17th century German silverware, ancient Roman sculptures,
Chinese bronzes, Art Nouveau furniture and 18th century cameo brooches.

Among the works of art are two Chinese bronze sculptures of a rabbit
and a rat head, taken during the Opium Wars of the 19th century that the
Beijing government said earlier this month belonged to China and should not be
auctioned.

The official Xinhua news agency said earlier this month that the the
two head sculptures, estimated to be worth 8-10 million euros (10.06-12.58
million USD) each were taken from Beijing's Imperial Summer Palace, burnt down
by invading French and British forces in 1860.

Visitors were simply amazed by the richness of the collection:
The massive promotion of the event, which has been treated to lavish
magazine spreads and television specials, is also likely to boost interest and
may help as it did when the estate of the late Andy Warhol was sold in
1988.