One of the top lots of Russians passed Sotheby's auction was stolen?
ARTinvestment.RU   30 апреля 2008

Monumental porcelain table decorations, performed at the Imperial Porcelain Factory in St. Petersburg in the era of Nicholas I (1825-1855) was the only top-fathomable April Russians Sotheby's auction in New York, which was not sold out

Monumental porcelain table decorations with a foundation of gilded bronze, made at the Imperial Porcelain Factory in St. Petersburg in the era of Nicholas I (1825-1855) was the only top-fathomable (estimeyt 2-3 million dollars) April Russians bid Sotheby's in New York, which was not sold - it stopped trading at around 1.6 million dollars. Last week, the subject was loud in the middle of the scandal, which already will be allowed in court.

Before the auction in New York collector Elayo Malekan (Elyaho Malekan) contacted the auction house, through his lawyer and said that the antiquary Sakai Isaac (Isak Sakai), passed on to the auction, stole it from Malekana, and later threatened to him and his family massacre, if the collector will report to the police.

Sotheby's representatives reached an agreement with the conflicting parties that the lot will participate in the auction in the case of the sale will be transferred to a new holder, and Sotheby's will keep the proceeds amount to settle the dispute. However, immediately after the completion of trades (remember disastrous on the disputed subject) Elayo Malekan filed a lawsuit against Sakai and Sotheby's to the Supreme Court of New York.

According to the statement, the collector, Isaac Sakai was invited to his house in 2006 to assess the subject. Antiquarian stole the subject, but later reported that it sold a representative of Russian criminal groups for 250 thousand dollars, and with threats made to take as a reward some antique items and issued backdated checks.

Lawyer Isaac Sakai Michlen Oscar (Oscar Michelen) insists that all the charges the collector does not have a reason and simply Malekan sorry about that, too cheap to sell. According to the lawyer, his client has a written contract for the sale of products, and the total amount of checks and the cost of the statues Malekanom is 280 thousand dollars. In addition, Representative Isaac Sakai pointed out that the restoration of the subject was invested 200 thousand dollars.

Sotheby's brought to trial as a respondent, as is currently the product is still in the custody of the auction house. Sotheby's representatives strongly deny the fact that the lot is not left with the auction due to the scandal erupted.

Source: www.artinfo.com