India's Ministry of Culture asserts the jewels are an inalienable cultural heritage and seeks their return before auction.
India Demands Return of Jewelry Linked to Buddha's Remains
India Demands Return of Jewelry Linked to Buddha's Remains
Indian government threatens legal action against Sotheby’s for auctioning sacred jewels
The Indian government is taking a strong stance against Sotheby's planned auction of jewels linked to the remains of Buddha, scheduled for Wednesday in Hong Kong. The jewels, reportedly discovered alongside bone fragments of the Buddha over a century ago, have stirred controversy, prompting the ministry of culture to threaten legal action unless the auction is halted and the artifacts are returned to India.
In a public statement, the ministry declared that the sale of these items violates various legal frameworks including both Indian and international laws, as well as UN conventions related to cultural heritage. The ministry emphasized that the relics should be regarded as sacred, and their improper sale has faced backlash from both the Buddhist community and art scholars worldwide.
The jewels in question were uncovered by William Claxton Peppé, an Englishman who excavated an ancient stupa in Piprahwa, located near Lumbini, widely recognized as the birthplace of Buddha. In 1898, Peppé discovered around 1,800 gems, which were stored in a brick chamber and include precious stones such as rubies and sapphires. Most of these artifacts were subsequently transferred to the British colonial authorities in India, with various pieces later exported and distributed.
India’s ministry has argued that Peppé's great-grandson, Chris Peppé, who is set to sell the jewels, does not possess authority to do so, suggesting that the auction house is complicit in colonial exploitation. Officially posted correspondence from the ministry sought clarification from Sotheby's regarding their handling of these sacred artifacts.
Reacting to the controversy, Chris Peppé noted that the intention behind the auction was to find a fair way to transfer ownership of the relics to the Buddhist community, despite other possibilities being complicated. He stated that the gemstones had been held by his family for several generations, with some being displayed in renowned exhibitions, including one at The Metropolitan Museum of Art this year.
The Indian government insists that these items are not merely "duplicates" but rather essential elements of India’s cultural heritage. They have demanded full records of the jewels’ ownership and a public apology from both Sotheby's and Peppé. Failure to comply, they warned, would lead to potential legal confrontations in both India and Hong Kong, as well as a public campaign exposing what they perceive as ongoing colonial injustices related to cultural assets.
As this international dispute unfolds, the sacred status of the jewels and their rightful ownership remain contentious issues, intertwining legal perspectives with historical grievances.
In a public statement, the ministry declared that the sale of these items violates various legal frameworks including both Indian and international laws, as well as UN conventions related to cultural heritage. The ministry emphasized that the relics should be regarded as sacred, and their improper sale has faced backlash from both the Buddhist community and art scholars worldwide.
The jewels in question were uncovered by William Claxton Peppé, an Englishman who excavated an ancient stupa in Piprahwa, located near Lumbini, widely recognized as the birthplace of Buddha. In 1898, Peppé discovered around 1,800 gems, which were stored in a brick chamber and include precious stones such as rubies and sapphires. Most of these artifacts were subsequently transferred to the British colonial authorities in India, with various pieces later exported and distributed.
India’s ministry has argued that Peppé's great-grandson, Chris Peppé, who is set to sell the jewels, does not possess authority to do so, suggesting that the auction house is complicit in colonial exploitation. Officially posted correspondence from the ministry sought clarification from Sotheby's regarding their handling of these sacred artifacts.
Reacting to the controversy, Chris Peppé noted that the intention behind the auction was to find a fair way to transfer ownership of the relics to the Buddhist community, despite other possibilities being complicated. He stated that the gemstones had been held by his family for several generations, with some being displayed in renowned exhibitions, including one at The Metropolitan Museum of Art this year.
The Indian government insists that these items are not merely "duplicates" but rather essential elements of India’s cultural heritage. They have demanded full records of the jewels’ ownership and a public apology from both Sotheby's and Peppé. Failure to comply, they warned, would lead to potential legal confrontations in both India and Hong Kong, as well as a public campaign exposing what they perceive as ongoing colonial injustices related to cultural assets.
As this international dispute unfolds, the sacred status of the jewels and their rightful ownership remain contentious issues, intertwining legal perspectives with historical grievances.
