India is pursuing legal action against Sotheby's to halt the auction of jewels associated with relics of Buddha, citing cultural heritage laws.
India's Legal Action Against Sotheby's Over Buddha-Linked Jewels
India's Legal Action Against Sotheby's Over Buddha-Linked Jewels
The Indian government seeks the return of sacred jewels tied to Buddha's remains ahead of a controversial auction.
In a bold move, the Indian government has threatened legal action against Sotheby's in Hong Kong, demanding the cancellation of an upcoming auction scheduled for Wednesday. The auction includes jewelry that was buried with relics of Buddha's remains, discovered over a century ago. India's Ministry of Culture has labeled the sale a clear violation of both Indian and international laws as well as United Nations conventions, seeking the immediate return of these sacred items.
The jewels—unearthed more than 100 years ago—have sparked global condemnation from Buddhist communities and art scholars alike. In an Instagram post, the Ministry shared a letter sent to Sotheby's, as well as Chris Peppé, a descendant of the Englishman who excavated the relics in 1898. The ministry's correspondence states that Sotheby's has acknowledged receipt of their legal notice and is treating the situation as a priority.
The jewels were originally uncovered by William Claxton Peppé near Piprahwa, believed to be the birthplace of Buddha. This excavation yielded 1,800 gems and artifacts, which Peppé later entrusted to the colonial Indian government. While most relics were transferred to the Indian Museum in Kolkata, a small portion stayed with the Peppé family.
The Indian ministry has criticized the classification of these jewels as "duplicates," claiming this misrepresentation undermines their religious significance. It emphasizes that these items are an “inalienable religious and cultural heritage” deserving of reverence rather than commodification. The Ministry stated that the current custodians of the jewels do not hold legitimate rights to sell these sacred relics, citing a past report indicating that they were inadequately cared for.
India has demanded a public apology from Sotheby's and Peppé and insists on full transparency regarding the current ownership of the jewels. The ministry warns that failure to comply may lead to legal actions in both India and Hong Kong under cultural heritage laws, and threatens a public campaign against Sotheby's for its involvement in what it terms "colonial injustice."
In response, Chris Peppé has conveyed to the BBC that the family had considered donating the relics but faced obstacles in doing so, asserting that an auction represents the most fair and transparent option for transferring the items to the Buddhist community. Over the past six years, the jewels have appeared in significant exhibitions, including one at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2023, as the Peppé family has sought to document and share their story through a dedicated website.
The Indian Ministry's take on the situation highlights ongoing discussions surrounding cultural heritage, ownership, and colonial legacies, posing challenging questions for the future of such artifacts.
The jewels—unearthed more than 100 years ago—have sparked global condemnation from Buddhist communities and art scholars alike. In an Instagram post, the Ministry shared a letter sent to Sotheby's, as well as Chris Peppé, a descendant of the Englishman who excavated the relics in 1898. The ministry's correspondence states that Sotheby's has acknowledged receipt of their legal notice and is treating the situation as a priority.
The jewels were originally uncovered by William Claxton Peppé near Piprahwa, believed to be the birthplace of Buddha. This excavation yielded 1,800 gems and artifacts, which Peppé later entrusted to the colonial Indian government. While most relics were transferred to the Indian Museum in Kolkata, a small portion stayed with the Peppé family.
The Indian ministry has criticized the classification of these jewels as "duplicates," claiming this misrepresentation undermines their religious significance. It emphasizes that these items are an “inalienable religious and cultural heritage” deserving of reverence rather than commodification. The Ministry stated that the current custodians of the jewels do not hold legitimate rights to sell these sacred relics, citing a past report indicating that they were inadequately cared for.
India has demanded a public apology from Sotheby's and Peppé and insists on full transparency regarding the current ownership of the jewels. The ministry warns that failure to comply may lead to legal actions in both India and Hong Kong under cultural heritage laws, and threatens a public campaign against Sotheby's for its involvement in what it terms "colonial injustice."
In response, Chris Peppé has conveyed to the BBC that the family had considered donating the relics but faced obstacles in doing so, asserting that an auction represents the most fair and transparent option for transferring the items to the Buddhist community. Over the past six years, the jewels have appeared in significant exhibitions, including one at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2023, as the Peppé family has sought to document and share their story through a dedicated website.
The Indian Ministry's take on the situation highlights ongoing discussions surrounding cultural heritage, ownership, and colonial legacies, posing challenging questions for the future of such artifacts.
