India's Ministry of Culture has issued a strong warning to Sotheby's in Hong Kong, urging the auction house to halt an imminent sale of jewels tied to the remains of the Buddha. Scheduled for Wednesday, this controversial auction features gems discovered alongside Buddha's bone fragments over a century ago, igniting significant backlash from both Indian authorities and the global Buddhist community. The Ministry has described the sale as a violation of Indian law, international regulations, and UN conventions, asserting that these items should be viewed as sacred.
The communication, shared on Instagram, included a letter directed to Sotheby's and Chris Peppé, the great-grandson of the excavator, William Claxton Peppé. Sotheby's has acknowledged receipt of the legal notice, affirming that they are taking the issue seriously. India's Ministry contends that Peppé, who inherited a fraction of the relics, lacks the authority to sell such culturally significant artifacts and criticized Sotheby's for perpetuating a legacy of colonial exploitation.
William Claxton Peppé, tasked with overseeing the excavation of a stupa at Piprahwa near Lumbini—the birthplace of the Buddha—came across nearly 1,800 gems, which included rubies, sapphires, and gold sheets. These treasures were initially handed over to the British colonial authorities, leading to a fragmented legacy of the finds with many relics currently housed in the Indian Museum in Kolkata.
The Indian government has challenged the characterization of the auctioned gems as "duplicates" claimed by Peppé, asserting that this diminishes their significance as integral pieces of India's cultural and religious heritage. They argue that the gems should not be sold but honored as sacred items, integral to the story of the Buddha.
Moreover, the Ministry has demanded public apologies from Sotheby's and Peppé, alongside a thorough accounting of the ownership history of the jewels. They warned of potential legal ramifications in India and Hong Kong if their conditions are not met, while also hinting at a forthcoming public campaign to shed light on Sotheby's involvement in what they deem colonial injustices.
Previously, Chris Peppé expressed an interest in donating the relics but stated that logistical issues made an auction the most viable option. The Peppé family has made considerable efforts to share research and history surrounding these relics, despite the ongoing conflicts over ownership and cultural significance. As this situation develops, the eyes of the world remain on the ethical and cultural implications surrounding the auction of these ancient jewels.
The communication, shared on Instagram, included a letter directed to Sotheby's and Chris Peppé, the great-grandson of the excavator, William Claxton Peppé. Sotheby's has acknowledged receipt of the legal notice, affirming that they are taking the issue seriously. India's Ministry contends that Peppé, who inherited a fraction of the relics, lacks the authority to sell such culturally significant artifacts and criticized Sotheby's for perpetuating a legacy of colonial exploitation.
William Claxton Peppé, tasked with overseeing the excavation of a stupa at Piprahwa near Lumbini—the birthplace of the Buddha—came across nearly 1,800 gems, which included rubies, sapphires, and gold sheets. These treasures were initially handed over to the British colonial authorities, leading to a fragmented legacy of the finds with many relics currently housed in the Indian Museum in Kolkata.
The Indian government has challenged the characterization of the auctioned gems as "duplicates" claimed by Peppé, asserting that this diminishes their significance as integral pieces of India's cultural and religious heritage. They argue that the gems should not be sold but honored as sacred items, integral to the story of the Buddha.
Moreover, the Ministry has demanded public apologies from Sotheby's and Peppé, alongside a thorough accounting of the ownership history of the jewels. They warned of potential legal ramifications in India and Hong Kong if their conditions are not met, while also hinting at a forthcoming public campaign to shed light on Sotheby's involvement in what they deem colonial injustices.
Previously, Chris Peppé expressed an interest in donating the relics but stated that logistical issues made an auction the most viable option. The Peppé family has made considerable efforts to share research and history surrounding these relics, despite the ongoing conflicts over ownership and cultural significance. As this situation develops, the eyes of the world remain on the ethical and cultural implications surrounding the auction of these ancient jewels.
