Was It Worth It?

A tiny and extremely rare 5,000-year-old white limestone sculpture from ancient Mesopotamia sold for $57.2 million yesterday, smashing previous records for both sculpture and antiquities, as well as most disposable income.

The carved Guennol Lioness, measuring just over eight centimeters (3 1/4 inches) tall, was described by Sotheby's auction house as one of the last known masterworks from the dawn of civilization remaining in private hands. Of course they would...prepare for torrential bullshit of the publisist variety.

"It was an honor for us to handle The Guennol Lioness, one of the greatest works of art of all time"

"Before the sale, a great connoisseur of art commented to us that he always regarded the figure as the 'finest sculpture on earth' and it would appear that the market agreed with him."

The Guennol Lioness is "one of the oldest, rarest and most beautiful works of art from the ancient world."

"This storied figure, in its brilliant combination of an animal form and human pose, has captured the imagination of academics and the public since it was acquired...in the late 1940s"

Those fine, fine words, all courtesy of Richard Keresey and Florent Heintz, two grade-A assholes who spring heaping praise upon their employer's wares in order to legitimise the gross purchase prices.

The auction winner was identified only as an English buyer who wished to remain anonymous. Wow, $57 million and you're not going to brag about it? You must be a serious art collector. Enjoy your paperweight.