A French judge on Monday rejected a petition by a pro-China association to block the sale of two Chinese bronze animal heads at the auction of late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent’s art collection, French radio reported.

Jean-Paul Chazal, a lawyer for Christie’s, said he was “entirely satisfied” by the ruling, and chastised APACE for straying from the rules it faces under French law.

He insisted that such an advocacy group has a role to defend its members – “not to substitute itself for the Embassy of China, a state, or a government prosecutor.”

More to follow tonight.

(Feb 23, 3PM, US Eastern Time)