Da Vinci bear drawing sells for record $12m at London auction

A drawing of a bear's head by Leonardo da Vinci sold for a record £8.8m ($12.1m) at a London auction, BBC News reports.

Measuring just 7x7cm, Head of a Bear is more than 500 years old.

The sale has surpassed the previous record for a Leonardo drawing, set by the Horse and Rider, which sold for £8.1m in 2001.

According to Christie's auction house, which held the sale, it is among just a few drawings by the Italian Renaissance master which are still privately owned.

The auction house did not reveal the identity of the buyers. However, it was sold to a single bid from a man and a woman.

Measuring just 7x7cm, Head of a Bear is more than 500 years old.

The sale has surpassed the previous record for a Leonardo drawing, set by the Horse and Rider, which sold for £8.1m in 2001.

According to Christie's auction house, which held the sale, it is among just a few drawings by the Italian Renaissance master which are still privately owned.

The auction house did not reveal the identity of the buyers. However, it was sold to a single bid from a man and a woman.