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UK auctioneer defies Greek plea UK auctioneer defies Greek plea
(20 minutes later)
A London auctioneer is to go ahead with a sale of heirlooms formerly owned by the Greek royal family, despite appeals from Greek officials not to proceed.A London auctioneer is to go ahead with a sale of heirlooms formerly owned by the Greek royal family, despite appeals from Greek officials not to proceed.
Christie's auction house said it saw "no reason" to stop the sale, which includes more than 850 items that once belonged to King George I of Greece.Christie's auction house said it saw "no reason" to stop the sale, which includes more than 850 items that once belonged to King George I of Greece.
On Monday, the Greek government urged Christie's to withdraw the lots, saying they may have been illegally exported.On Monday, the Greek government urged Christie's to withdraw the lots, saying they may have been illegally exported.
It threatened legal action if the sale, set to begin on Wednesday, takes place.It threatened legal action if the sale, set to begin on Wednesday, takes place.
King George I, who ruled Greece from 1863 to 1913, was the original owner of the collection.King George I, who ruled Greece from 1863 to 1913, was the original owner of the collection.
It includes antique silverware, paintings, Chinese jade and Faberge items from the former royal estate in Tatoi, north of Athens.It includes antique silverware, paintings, Chinese jade and Faberge items from the former royal estate in Tatoi, north of Athens.
Unidentified sellerUnidentified seller
"The items that Christie's desires to auction are beyond doubt part of Greek history," Culture Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis said."The items that Christie's desires to auction are beyond doubt part of Greek history," Culture Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis said.
He said that auction house had not explain how it obtained the items. "Their exact origin and how they came to Christie's for auction has not been made public," he said. He said that the auction house had not explained how it obtained the items. "Their exact origin and how they came to Christie's for auction has not been made public," he said.
The former king denies he is the seller of the antiquitiesThe former king denies he is the seller of the antiquities
Christie's has not identified the seller but, says the BBC's Malcolm Brabant, it is widely believed to be London-based ex-King Constantine.Christie's has not identified the seller but, says the BBC's Malcolm Brabant, it is widely believed to be London-based ex-King Constantine.
But the royal family said it no longer owned the collection.But the royal family said it no longer owned the collection.
"The items to be auctioned were sold by the Greek royal family in 1991," family spokeswoman Aliki Strongylos told the Associated Press news agency. "We don't know who is currently selling them.""The items to be auctioned were sold by the Greek royal family in 1991," family spokeswoman Aliki Strongylos told the Associated Press news agency. "We don't know who is currently selling them."
Christie's said it was "surprised" by the last-minute request from Greek officials and said that it had obtained the items legally.Christie's said it was "surprised" by the last-minute request from Greek officials and said that it had obtained the items legally.
"We see no reason for the sale not to go ahead as planned," it said. "The sale has attracted extensive international interest.""We see no reason for the sale not to go ahead as planned," it said. "The sale has attracted extensive international interest."
The Greek monarchy was abolished in 1974. In 1991, the former King Constantine was allowed to remove items from the Tatoi estate, which was then confiscated in 1994.The Greek monarchy was abolished in 1974. In 1991, the former King Constantine was allowed to remove items from the Tatoi estate, which was then confiscated in 1994.
In recent years, Greece has fought hard to repatriate antiquities it says were taken illegally.In recent years, Greece has fought hard to repatriate antiquities it says were taken illegally.