Patriotic collectors boost market for ancient Chinese artifacts

Even objects previously considered inauspicious,
such as archaic jade from tombs, are being
sought by Chinese buyers.

Patriotic collectors boost market for ancient Chinese artefacts, The Financial Times

 Following the fashions to buy western art and classic wristwatches, historical Chinese artefacts are now the must-have item for the country’s wealthy collectors who are snapping up [...] objects that have been in foreign hands for often hundreds of years. Interest in Chinese artefacts has intensified since President Xi Jinping began pushing to highlight the role of the country’s heritage in the national narrative [...] The buying spree is supported by China’s government, which is backing a $450m branch of Beijing’s famed Palace Museum being constructed in Hong Kong, among other initiatives. “It’s about the emergence of China,” Mr Stone says. “The government sees art and culture as a key industry. It’s part of the strategy for the development of China.

It's great the Chinese public is getting in touch with past, but makes no sense to restrict American collectors from buying what Chinese collectors can readily buy.