Tribal masks fetch 550,000 euros in controversial French sale

Tribal masks fetch 550,000 euros in controversial French sale 
A Paris auction of sacred masks from the Hopi and San Carlos Apache Native American tribes fetched more than 550,000 euros Monday, defying protests from the United States and activists. The US embassy had asked for the suspension of the sale of colourful ceremonial masks and head-dresses after the failure Friday of a legal challenge by advocacy group Survival International on behalf of Arizona's Hopi tribe. Three San Carlos Apache masks were also sold for 30,000 euros. "We remain concerned about this sale, which took place before the Hopi or Apache tribes had the time to examine the objects and their origin to see whether they could claim them," Philip Breeden, minister counsellor for cultural affairs, told AFP.