An extraordinary assortment of ancient jewels, once interred alongside what were believed to be the Buddha’s remains, is scheduled to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong this week.
Unearthed in 1898 from a stupa in Piprahwa, near the Buddha’s birthplace in present-day Uttar Pradesh, the collection comprises nearly 1,800 jewels – including pearls, rubies, sapphires, topaz, garnets, coral, amethysts, rock crystals, shells, and gold. These precious items were initially unearthed next to bone fragments identified as those of the Buddha.
The relics had been kept in a private British collection for over a century and are now being put up for sale by three descendants of William Claxton Peppe, the British engineer who led the original excavation. Sotheby’s has valued the auction at approximately HK$100 million (around Rs 107 crore).
“These gem relics are not just objects – they carry the essence of the Buddha,” Professor Ashley Thompson, from Soas University of London, stated, as reported by The Guardian.
Nicolas Chow, the chairman of Sotheby’s Asia, hailed the relics as “one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in history.” The auction house described the collection as having “unmatched religious, archaeological, and historical significance.”
John Strong, a retired professor of religious studies at Bates College, pointed out that interpretations of the relics differ. While some view them as sacred offerings linked to the Buddha’s physical remains, others see them as symbolic relics representing “the enduring purity of Buddhahood,” as per The Guardian.
The sale has sparked criticism from Buddhist scholars and religious figures worldwide, who argue that the relics are sacred and should not be treated as mere commodities.
“Should the Buddha’s relics be treated as a commodity to be sold as art?” questioned Naman Ahuja, an art historian based in Delhi, according to BBC. “Since the seller is referred to as the ‘custodian,’ I wonder – whose custodian?”
Mahinda Deegalle, a Buddhist monk and retired professor at Bath Spa University, condemned the auction as “shameful” and a “disgrace to one of the greatest philosophers in history,” as per The Guardian.
Chris Peppe, the great-grandson of William Claxton Peppe and one of the present owners, defended the decision. He mentioned that the family considered donating the relics to temples and museums but faced challenges, stating that the auction was “the most fair and transparent way to transfer these relics to the Buddhist community,” he informed the BBC.
Sotheby’s assured that they have conducted thorough due diligence, including authenticity, provenance, and legality checks, in accordance with industry standards. The auction is scheduled to take place on Wednesday.
