HONG KONG, May 7 — Sotheby’s decided to postpone an auction featuring jewelry linked to Buddha’s relics on Wednesday following opposition from the Indian government, which requested that the sale be stopped.
According to the auction house, the gems up for sale were unearthed alongside the physical remains of the historical Buddha within reliquaries located in northern India in 1898.
It was reported by AP that they date back to approximately 240-200 BC.
However, India’s Ministry of Culture stated in a Facebook post on Tuesday that they have served a legal notice to Sotheby’s Hong Kong, requesting an immediate stop to the sale. They accused the auction house of breaching “Indian laws, international norms, and UN conventions.”
In its letter to Sotheby’s Hong Kong dated Monday, posted on Facebook, it said the auction involves sacred Buddhist relics that constitute the inalienable religious and cultural heritage of India and the global Buddhist community. It demanded the repatriation of the relics to the Indian government and a public apology from the auction house and Chris Peppe.
Peppe is a great-grandson of British William Peppe, who excavated the relics.
Live stream showcasing moose migration that enthralled millions comes to an end.
The Indian government cautioned in the letter that non-compliance could lead to legal measures being taken against them as well as public awareness initiatives aimed at spotlighting the auction house’s involvement “in upholding colonial injustices and participating in the immoral sale of sacred artifacts.”
On Wednesday, Sotheby’s issued a statement announcing the delay, recognizing the concerns expressed by the Indian government and mentioning that this decision was made in conjunction with the owners of the artworks.
“This will facilitate conversations among the involved parties, and we eagerly anticipate providing relevant updates when necessary,” it stated.
Some of Sotheby’s webpages about the auction were no longer available on Wednesday.
The Indian Ministry of Culture announced on Facebook on Wednesday that they were “delighted to share” the news that the auction had been delayed following their intervention.