Ai Weiwei's Surveillance Camera (2010) is estimated to sell for $400,000-600,000 at Heritage Auctions.
It's among the star lots of the October 28 modern and contemporary art auction in New York.
 Weiwei's work has attracted the ire of the Chinese government in the past |
Heritage explains: "The sculpture is a clear example of Ai's method: the combination of traditional Chinese modes of production, Duchampian appropriation and conceptual art principles.
"The sculpture was hand-carved from a single block of white marble from a quarry near Beijing, which served Imperial China and was also used in Mao Tse Tung's mausoleum - a material of great importance in Chinese cultural history.
"Additionally, it was modeled on the cameras that were positioned by police outside Ai's house�Ǫ
"As is well known, Ai was placed under house arrest and surveillance by the Chinese police in November 2010."
Weiwei's work has advanced in value in recent years, with his Circle of Animals/ Zodiac Heads selling for a new artist record of £2.8m ($4.3m) at Phillips earlier this year.
He is also the subject of a high profile exhibition at the Royal Academy in London, which runs until December.
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