Sotheby’s has paused the planned sale of a sacred collection of jewels believed to be linked to the Buddha, following strong opposition and a legal warning from the Indian government.
The auction was scheduled to take place in Hong Kong on May 7 but was removed from the house’s listings shortly after the dispute arose.
The collection, known as the Piprahwa Gems, includes nearly 1,800 ancient jewels such as rubies, sapphires, topaz, and gold sheets. These items were excavated in 1898 from a stupa in Piprahwa, northern India, by British estate manager William Claxton Peppé. The discovery, which also included bone fragments said to be those of the Buddha himself, is considered one of the most important archaeological finds of the modern era.
The Indian government sent a formal letter to Sotheby’s just two days before the scheduled auction, objecting to the sale. In the letter, India described the relics as part of its spiritual and cultural heritage and said their sale would violate both domestic and international law, including UN conventions on cultural property. The government also expressed concern for how the auction would impact the global Buddhist community, calling the sale deeply disrespectful.
Following the objection, senior Indian officials met with Sotheby’s representatives in Hong Kong for direct talks. Soon after, the auction house confirmed that it had postponed the sale in agreement with the consignors. A statement from Sotheby’s said discussions were ongoing and updates would be shared when appropriate.
The listing and promotional materials for the Piprahwa Gems were removed from Sotheby’s website by Wednesday. The withdrawal marks a rare moment where international pressure has halted a major sale at one of the world’s most prestigious auction houses.
The original find at Piprahwa, located just south of Lumbini in present-day Uttar Pradesh, was one of the earliest archaeological links to the historical Buddha. Experts have confirmed that the stupa and its contents date back to the Mauryan Empire, specifically between 240 and 200 BCE during Emperor Ashoka’s reign, a period known for its promotion of Buddhism.
While Sotheby’s previously described the items as “extraordinary,” the auction faced backlash from Buddhist scholars and religious leaders who argued that relics of such significance should never be traded. Many insisted they should remain in India or be placed in a museum accessible to the public and Buddhist followers.
As negotiations continue, the future of the Piprahwa collection remains uncertain. For now, however, the decision to postpone the auction has eased tensions and opened the door to a potential resolution that respects religious heritage and international concern.