英博物馆收到捐款阻止简·奥斯汀戒指被带出国门

   American singer Kelly Clarkson has been thwarted* in her bid to take a ring once owned by Jane Austen out of the U.K.

    The “American Idol” winner bought the gold and turquoise* ring for £150,000 (US$240,384) but Britain ministers moved to impose an export ban to block her taking it to the U.S. in the hope of finding a British buyer.

    Donations from Austen fans from around the world, and TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh, flooded in and the ring has now been bought by the Jane Austen’s House Museum.

    The ring had been in the Austen family for around 200 years before it was sold at auction last year.

    Clarkson, the first winner of talent show “American Idol,” saw off seven bidders in an auction at Sotheby’s last year for the gold and turquoise ring.

    Still in its original box, it was sold for US$235,596 despite being expected to fetch only US$46,362.

    But when Clarkson applied for an export license, a reviewing committee recommended that the ring should be kept in the U.K.

    The Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton, Hampshire, has now raised £157,740 to secure the ring which is expected to go on display in the New Year.

    Clarkson said that she was glad that the museum had acquired the item.

    “The ring is a beautiful national treasure and I am happy to know that so many Jane Austen fans will get to see it at Jane Austen’s House Museum,” she said.

    (SD-Agencies)