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Sotheby's Delays Historic Buddha Gems Auction Amid Indian Government Backlash
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Sotheby’s has delayed an auction featuring gems linked to Buddha’s relics following demands from the Indian government for the sale to be stopped.
The Piprahwa gems, reportedly dating back to approximately 200 BC as stated by the auction house, were set for sale at the auction block on Wednesday. In February, Sotheby’s mentioned that this find was considered one of “the most remarkable archaeological discoveries ever.”
The India Ministry of Culture stated in a Facebook post that they have sent a legal notification to Sotheby’s Hong Kong, requesting an immediate stop to the sale. They allege that the auction breaches "Indian laws, international norms, and UN conventions."
In their correspondence with Sotheby’s Hong Kong sent via Facebook on Monday, they stated that the upcoming sale includes sacred Buddhist artifacts which form an integral part of India's unyielding spiritual and cultural legacy as well as being cherished by Buddhists worldwide. They called for these relics to be returned to the Indian authorities and requested a formal apology from both the auction house and Chris Peppé—the great-grandson of British estate administrator William Claxton Peppé, known for uncovering the relics during his time.
According to the auction house, the gems up for sale were unearthed alongside the physical remains of the historical Buddha within reliquaries located in northern India back in 1898.
The approximately 1,800 jewels unearthed at the Piprahwa village close to where Buddha was born include rubies, sapphires, and intricately designed gold plates. These treasures have been traced back to a family associated with the spiritual leader.
The Indian government cautioned in the letter that non-compliance could lead to legal measures and awareness campaigns aimed at exposing the auction house’s involvement "in maintaining colonial injustices and participating in the immoral selling of sacred artifacts."
Sotheby's declared the delay in an official announcement, recognizing the concerns expressed by the Indian authorities and mentioning that this decision was made with the consent of the property owners.
"This will facilitate conversations among all parties involved, and we are eager to share relevant updates as necessary," it stated.
Certain pages on Sotheby's website regarding the auction could no longer be accessed.
The Indian Ministry of Culture announced on Facebook on Wednesday that they were "delighted to share" the news that the auction had been delayed following their involvement.
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