Artist AMEDEA MODIGLIANI's sculpted stone head has smashed auction records in France after going under the hammer for almost $53 million (£35.3 million).
The piece of art, crafted between 1910 and 1912, sold at Christie's in Paris on Monday (14Jun10).
The sale is also a new record for a work by the Italian artist.
An anonymous buyer bid for the piece of sculpture by telephone.