Sotheby's Postpones Auction of Buddhist Relics After India Demands Repatriation

Sotheby's in Hong Kong has postponed the auction of more than 300 ancient gems and relics linked to the Buddha's remains after strong intervention by the Indian government, which demanded the auction's cancellation and the repatriation of the items, citing their status as inalienable religious and cultural heritage. The disputed artifacts, known as the Piprahwa gems, were excavated in 1898 from a site near the Buddha's birthplace in northern India and include bone fragments, gemstones, and reliquaries, some of which bear inscriptions attributing them to the Sakya clan and the Buddha himself. The Indian Ministry of Culture issued a legal notice arguing that the sale violated both Indian and international law, and called for a public apology and full disclosure of provenance documents. Sotheby's stated the postponement would allow for discussions between the government, the sellers, and the descendants of the original British excavator, William Claxton Peppé. Most of the relics had previously been transferred to the Indian Museum, but some remained in private hands and were listed for auction by Peppé’s great-grandson. The incident has highlighted ongoing debates about colonial-era artifacts and their rightful ownership, with India emphasizing the relics’ immense spiritual and historical significance for Buddhists worldwide.