Sotheby's halts Buddha jewels auction after India threat

Sotheby's halts Buddha jewels auction after India threat
Sotheby's halts Buddha jewels auction after India threat

We show you our most important and recent visitors news details Sotheby's halts Buddha jewels auction after India threat in the following article

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - SINGAPORE — The auction house Sotheby's has postponed its sale in Hong Kong of hundreds of sacred jewels linked to the Buddha's remains, after a threat of legal action by the Indian government.

The sale of the collection - described as one of the most astonishing archaeological finds of the modern era - had drawn criticism from Buddhist academics and monastic leaders. India had said it offended the global Buddhist community.

Sotheby's said the suspension would allow for discussions between the parties.

A British official named William Claxton Peppé unearthed the relics in northern India nearly 130 years ago, alongside bone fragments identified as belonging to the Buddha himself.

The auction of the collection, known as the Piprahwa Gems of the Historical Buddha Mauryan Empire, Ashokan Era, circa 240-200 BCE, was due to take place on 7 May.

In a letter to the auction house two days earlier, the Indian government said that the relics constituted "inalienable religious and cultural heritage of India and the global Buddhist community. Their sale violates Indian and international laws, as well as United Nations conventions".

A high-level Indian government delegation then held discussions with Sotheby's representatives on Tuesday.

In an emailed statement, Sotheby's said that in light of the matters raised by India's government "and with the agreement of the consignors, the auction ... has been postponed".

It said updates on the discussions would be shared "as appropriate".

Notice of the gems sale had been removed from its auction house by Wednesday and the website page promoting the auction is no longer available.

Jewels linked to Buddha remains go to auction, sparking ethical debate

William Claxton Peppé was an English estate manager who excavated a stupa at Piprahwa, just south of Lumbini, the believed birthplace of Buddha. He uncovered relics inscribed and consecrated nearly 2,000 years ago.

The findings included nearly 1,800 gems, including rubies, topaz, sapphires and patterned gold sheets, stored inside a brick chamber. This site is now in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Sotheby's had said in February that the 1898 discovery ranked "among the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries of all time". — BBC


These were the details of the news Sotheby's halts Buddha jewels auction after India threat for this day. We hope that we have succeeded by giving you the full details and information. To follow all our news, you can subscribe to the alerts system or to one of our different systems to provide you with all that is new.

It is also worth noting that the original news has been published and is available at Saudi Gazette and the editorial team at AlKhaleej Today has confirmed it and it has been modified, and it may have been completely transferred or quoted from it and you can read and follow this news from its main source.

PREV Three Chinese men arrested in Japan after rustling luggage reveals thousands of endangered hermit crabs
NEXT US, Ukraine ink minerals deal after delay, with Trump tying aid to access

Author Information

I have been an independent financial adviser for over 11 years in the city and in recent years turned my experience in finance and passion for journalism into a full time role. I perform analysis of Companies and publicize valuable information for shareholder community. Address: 2077 Sharon Lane Mishawaka, IN 46544, USA Phone: (+1) 574-255-1083 Email: [email protected]