THE DAILY STAR: Sotheby's calls of[f] scheduled sale of key after doubts are raised about its authenticity
LONDON: The 2008 sale of a key thought to have been made in the 12th century for the holy Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which set an auction record for an Islamic work of art, has been cancelled, Sotheby's said.
Shortly after the sale last April at Sotheby's in London, when the key sold for 9.2 million pounds ($13.49 million) - over 18 times its pre-sale estimate - experts raised questions about its authenticity, prompting the auctioneer to annul the result.
"In light of the divergence of academic views," Sotheby's said in a statement, "Sotheby's and the consignor decided to cancel the sale in May 2008, pending further research and scientific analysis.
"The key is a fascinating object and interested parties are still captivated by this rare and intriguing piece. Consequently there continues to be interest in a sale, notwithstanding the divergence of both academic views and scientific analysis, which remain inconclusive." >>> Mike Collett-White, Reuters | Saturday, April 04, 2009
