Yves Saint Laurent's former partner, who infuriated China by auctioning two bronze sculptures claimed by the country, said he had received death threats over the historic statuettes.

"I was the subject of many attacks, I was threatened - even with death," Pierre Berge told RTL radio yesterday.

"The police told me during the sale... that I should have bodyguards follow me, which I did for a few days," said Mr Berge, also Saint Laurent's former business partner.

China says the two Qing dynasty bronzes, of a rat and a rabbit head, were seized illegally in 1860 from Beijing's Summer Palace when it was razed by invading French and British forces. Mr Berge, who rejects China's claim, had sold the pieces for €15 million in February, but the Chinese bidders dropped out.

They have since been sitting in a safe room in a Christie's auction house, and Mr Berge said he had considered donating them to a museum either in France or Taiwan.

However, he said neither country wanted to exacerbate tensions with China, and added that in the end he would probably find a "brave" buyer.

"... In any case it is certain that I will not offer them to China," said Mr Berge.

Mr Berge has said he would return the pieces if the country guaranteed human rights and allowed the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, to return home.