Two imperial bronze sculptures, including a rabbit head and a rat head are handed over to the National Museum of China during a donation ceremony on 31 June. The two pieces were looted from Beijing's Yuanmingyuan Garden in 1860. The sculptures of the rabbit head and the rat head will be added to the collection at the museum and on display soon. Among the total 12 heads made according to the Chinese Zodiac, there have been 7 bronze heads back in China, the last 5 heads are still missing.
The two bronze heads were auctioned in Paris in 2009. The sculptures have triggered worldwide concern and protests in China. The French art-collecting Pinault family bought the sculptures from the relics’ previous owner and announced in April that they would return the relics in the second half of this year.