Sotheby's postpones auction of jewels associated with Buddha after backlash from Union Government
Sotheby's on Wednesday (May 7, 2025) postponed an auction of jewels associated with Buddha's remains after the Union Government opposed the sale and demanded it be halted.
'The gems for auction were found buried together in reliquaries with the corporeal relics of the historical Buddha and discovered in northern India in 1898,' the auction house said. 'They dated back to around 240-200 BC,' it said.
But Ministry of Culture said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (May 6, 2025) it had issued a legal notice to Sotheby's (Hong Kong) to demand the immediate halt of the sale, accusing the auction of violating 'laws, international norms and UN conventions.'
In its letter to Sotheby's Hong Kong dated Monday (May 5, 2025), posted on Facebook, it said the auction involves sacred Buddhist relics that constitute the inalienable religious and cultural heritage and the global Buddhist community. It demanded the repatriation of the relics to the Union Government and a public apology from the auction house and Chris Peppé.
@MinOfCultureGoI has issued a legal notice to Sotheby's Hong Kong & Mr Chris Peppé, heirs of William Claxton Peppé, demanding the immediate halt of the auction titled "The Piprahwa Gems of the Historical Buddha, Mauryan Empire, Ashokan Era, circa 240-200 BCE,"-set for May 7,2025. pic.twitter.com/Begczzp9SE — Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI) May 5, 2025
Mr. Peppé is a great-grandson of British William Peppé, who excavated the relics. The Centre warned in the letter that failure to comply would result in legal actions and public advocacy campaigns highlighting the auction house's role 'in perpetuating colonial injustice and becoming a party to unethical sale of religious relics.'
Sotheby's announced the postponement in a statement on Wednesday (May 7, 2025), acknowledging the matters raised by the Union Government and saying it was done with the agreement of the consignors.
'This will allow for discussions between the parties, and we look forward to sharing any updates as appropriate,' it said. Some of Sotheby's webpages about the auction were no longer available on Wednesday (May 7,2025).
The Ministry of Culture said on Facebook on Wednesday (May 7,2025) it was 'pleased to inform' that the auction was postponed after its intervention.
Important Announcement 🚨
We are pleased to inform that, following the intervention of the @MinOfCultureGoI, @Sothebys Hong Kong has postponed the auction of the Piprahwa Buddhist relics, which was scheduled for May 7, 2025.
Further details will be shared in due course. — Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI) May 6, 2025
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