Sotheby’s has postponed the auction of ancient gems linked to the Buddha’s remains following a legal threat from the Indian government, which demanded their repatriation. The auction of the Piprahwa Gems, which had been slated for a Hong Kong sale with an estimated value of around 100 million Hong Kong dollars ($12.9 million), was delayed to facilitate discussions between involved parties, including three descendants of a British colonial landowner who discovered the gems in 1898.
The gems, connected to the cremated remains of Buddha, are considered sacred relics by the world’s 500 million Buddhists and are believed to carry his presence. They were unearthed in Uttar Pradesh, where they were buried in a stupa dating back to 200-240 BC. The Indian government condemned the auction, arguing it violates religious doctrine and international law regarding the handling of sacred remains. The Ministry of Culture asserted that the gems are inseparable from the remains they accompany, emphasizing that their auction would contravene ethical standards in archaeology.
The planned auction faced backlash from Buddhist scholars and religious leaders, who echoed India’s sentiments on the importance of the relics. The Peppé family, which claims ownership of the gems, expressed hope that they would ultimately end up with someone who values them. However, the Indian government argued that if the family no longer wished to keep them, they should first be offered to India, criticizing the sale as a continuation of colonial exploitation. Chris Peppé, a descendant and current custodian, has previously suggested potential donation avenues but pointed to auctioning as a transparent transfer method for the relics.
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