Sotheby’s has decided to delay an auction featuring jewels linked to the remains of the Buddha, following objections from the Indian government, which has called for the sale to be halted. The gemstones, unearthed in 1898 in northern India, were discovered alongside the corporeal relics of the historical Buddha and are believed to date back to approximately 240-200 BC.
India’s Ministry of Culture made its stance clear through a Facebook post, where it issued a legal notice to Sotheby’s Hong Kong, insisting that the auction breaches “Indian laws, international norms, and UN conventions.” The ministry underscored the significance of these jewels, describing them as sacred relics that form part of India’s religious and cultural heritage, representative of the global Buddhist community.
The government has demanded the return of these relics and a public apology from Sotheby’s, alongside Chris Peppe, a descendant of the businessman who originally excavated the items. The ministry warned that if these demands were not met, legal action and advocacy campaigns would be initiated, accusing Sotheby’s of perpetuating colonial injustices and endorsing the unethical sale of religious artefacts.
Sotheby’s announced the postponement in a statement, acknowledging the concerns raised by Indian authorities and confirming that this decision was made in agreement with the consignors. The auction house indicated that the delay would facilitate further discussions between the parties involved, anticipating further updates in due course.
In the wake of the developments, some sections of Sotheby’s website associated with the auction have become unavailable. The Indian Ministry of Culture expressed satisfaction on Facebook, stating it was “pleased to inform” that the auction had been postponed due to its intervention.