The family that runs French luxury-goods conglomerate Kering has offered to return a pair of looted Qing dynasty bronzes to China.
The pieces to be returned are the bronze heads of a rat and rabbit. The Pinault family bought the two bronzes during an auction in Paris in 2009. They are among the 12 animal heads that were looted from the old Summer Palace in Beijing by French and British troops in 1860 during the Second Opium War.
So far, five are in China, and five are still missing. China has welcomed the donation by the Pinault family. Officials said the offer was an expression of friendship toward the Chinese people. Pinault made the offer as he was traveling in China with French President Francois Hollande on a visit to strengthen economic ties.