An extraordinary collection of ancient gems, believed to be buried alongside Buddha’s ashes, is going up for auction this week at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong.
Unearthed in 1898 from a pagoda in Piplawa, near what is now Uttar Pradesh—Buddha’s birthplace—this remarkable find includes pearls, rubies, sapphires, topaz, garnets, corals, amethysts, rock crystals, seashells, and gold gems. These treasures were located alongside fragments of bones thought to belong to the Buddha.
The artifacts have remained in private British collections for over a century, and they are now being sold by three descendants of William Claxton Peppe, the British engineer who oversaw the initial excavation. Sotheby’s estimates the auction could yield around $100 million (approximately 107 crores).
“These jewels are not just objects; they embody the essence of Buddha,” noted Professor Ashley Thompson from the University of London.
Sotheby’s Asia president, Nicholas Chow, hailed this relic as “one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries of all time.” The auction house has described the collection as “of unparalleled religious, archaeological and historical significance.”
John Strong, professor emeritus of religion at Bates University, mentioned that the artifacts are open to various interpretations. Some view them as sacred offerings associated with Buddha’s relics, while others interpret them as symbolic, representing “the ongoing dilution of Buddhism’s essence,” according to their guardians.
The auction has stirred discomfort among Buddhist scholars and religious leaders globally, who contend that such relics are sacred and should not be commodified.
“Can we really treat Buddha’s relics like marketable art pieces?” asked Naman Ahuja, an art historian based in Delhi. “The sellers are referred to as ‘custodians’; I wonder what they mean by that?”
Mahinda Digal, professor emeritus at Bathspa University, labeled the auction as “disturbing,” suggesting it disrespects one of history’s greatest thinkers.
Chris Peppe, a great-grandson of William Claxton Peppe and current co-owner of the gems, defended the family’s decision. He explained to the BBC that they had attempted to donate artifacts to temples and museums but faced challenges, asserting that the auction represents “the fairest and most transparent way to transfer these items to Buddhists.”
Sotheby’s has stated it conducted thorough due diligence, including verifying reliability, provenance, and legality, in accordance with industry standards. The auction is scheduled for Wednesday.
