BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- A set of embroideries of arhats, Buddhist saints who have attained nirvana, was auctioned for a record price of 19.8 million yuan (2.38 million US dollars) at a recent auction in Beijing.

    The embroideries were made about 700 years ago by Guan Zhongji (1262-1319), wife of a famous Chinese calligrapher Zhao Mengfu, inthe Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Guan was acclaimed as "the No. 1 talented woman" at that time and her handwriting was also highly applauded, according to historical records.

    Guan made the 16 embroidered pieces after she converted to Buddhism and lived in a nunnery.

    The auction was carried out by the Beijing Hanhai Auction Co. Ltd, which set the reserve price at 3.5 million yuan.

    Both the buyer and seller were from China, the company said.

    The works were outstanding because of the lofty crafts which vividly represented different acts and countenances of the saints and both the silks and needles Guan used were so thin that the works looked like a painting, the company said. Enditem