A Singapore businessman is suing an art gallery over a statue of Rodin's Thinker that he bought for $1 million, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reports.

David Eng claimed in court on Monday that the director of the Opera Gallery, Stephane Le Pelletier, told him that the sculpture he was buying was an "original" piece cast from a mold from the Rodin Museum. Eng added that he was told the mold was broken after making 25 statues and the sculpture being sold by the gallery was the only one up for sale.

The sculpture Eng paid for is neither original nor the only one for sale, and he is suing the gallery for a refund, claiming misrepresentation and breach of contract.

The gallery has counter-sued Eng, arguing that his charges have affected its business and reputation. It says that Eng bought the statue knowing what it is: a posthumous limited edition piece that was produced by a Parisian art gallery with the permission of the Rodin Museum.

"Were you seriously thinking that for 1 million U.S. dollars, you were going to get an original Rodin?" lawyer Manjit Singh asked Eng. He responded that he did.

The trial is scheduled to last for seven more days.