Duplicates of Western paintings on Chinese imperial palaces by two European painters was on sale in Beijing on Sunday.

The paintings include 10 pieces of  Ten Fine Dogs by Bohemian Jgnatius Sickeltart and 10 pieces of Ten Beautiful Flowers by Italian Giuseppe Castiglione. They both came to China to practice Chinese painting in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

The replicas, which were made through nanometer technology, are preserved in royal rosewood boxes, said Yang Xin, former deputy curator of the Palace Museum.

"The duplication is aimed at making the relics public and protected," said Peng Qingyun, president of the Chinese Culture Relics Association.

(Xinhua News Agency October 17, 2005)