The Minfanglei, a large ritualistic wine vessel from the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC -1046 BC)

In 1924, the bronze item was sold to an individual in Shanghai, and then auctioned off to foreign collectors. On June 21, 2014 after it was lost overseas for nearly a century, Chinese art collectors worked together to return it to China from New York-based fine arts auction house Christie's. An agreement between the auction house and the Chinese side was reached, and the bronze item was sold to an association of Chinese collectors without going through the auctioning process.

Relic employees examine the Minfanglei after it was returned to Changsha, Hunan province, on June 21, 2014. [Photo/IC]

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