A Historic Auction at Sotheby’s
In May 2025, Sotheby’s Hong Kong will host an extraordinary auction featuring the Piprahwa Gems, a collection of over 300 sacred Buddhist relics. These artifacts, which have been safeguarded for over 2,000 years, were originally interred alongside the remains of the Historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. The collection includes gemstones, semi-precious stones, pearls, shells, gold, and silver—each meticulously crafted and placed as offerings of reverence.
The Piprahwa Gems have been displayed in some of the world’s most esteemed institutions, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore. Before heading to auction, the collection will be on public display at Sotheby’s Maison at Landmark Chater in Hong Kong until February 23, 2025.
With bidding starting at HK$10 million, this sale presents an unparalleled opportunity for museums, collectors, and Buddhist organizations to acquire relics with an unmatched historical and spiritual legacy.
The gems on display in Hong Kong Febuary 2020
The Discovery of the Piprahwa Relics
The story of these sacred artifacts dates back to January 1898, when British civil engineer William Claxton Peppé, the owner of an estate near Birdpur, India, began excavations at an ancient Buddhist stupa in Piprahwa, close to the India-Nepal border. This site had long been considered significant in Buddhist tradition.
William Claxton Peppé
During the excavation, Peppé’s team made a groundbreaking discovery:
- A massive stone coffer, carved from a single sandstone block, was unearthed from the base of the stupa.
- Inside, the coffer contained five reliquary urns, each holding bone fragments and a dazzling assortment of 1,800 jewels and ornaments.
- Among these were carved gemstones, gold leaf decorations, delicate pearls, semi-precious stones, silver ornaments, and sacred conch shells.
Buddhist stupa in Piprahwa after Excavation
However, what set this find apart from all others was an inscription in Brahmi script, carefully etched onto one of the reliquary urns.
The Piprahwa Inscription: A Monumental Archaeological Find
The inscription, written in Prakrit using the Brahmi script, is translated as:
"These relics of the Blessed Lord (Buddha) are for the worship of the fraternity, in association with the Sakyas, his kinsmen."
This crucial discovery provided strong archaeological evidence supporting the historical existence of the Buddha and affirmed the ancient Buddhist tradition that the relics of Siddhartha Gautama were divided among the clans and enshrined in stupas after his cremation.
Scholars, including the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and later epigraphists, identified the stupa as being one of the eight original Buddhist relic stupas constructed after the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana (passing into final Nirvana) around 483 BCE.
The Journey of the Relics
Following the excavation, the relics were carefully examined by scholars and divided among various institutions and Buddhist nations:
The Sacred Bone Relics
- In 1899, Peppé presented the bone relics to King Rama V of Thailand.
- The King distributed them among Buddhist communities in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), and Japan, where they were enshrined in temples.
- Today, portions of these relics reside in Wat Saket (Bangkok), the National Museum of Myanmar, and various Buddhist stupas worldwide.
The Piprahwa Gems & Ornaments
- The majority of the gold, silver, and jewel-encrusted artifacts were placed in the Indian Museum in Kolkata, where they remain as one of the most treasured collections of Buddhist antiquities.
- However, Peppé was granted permission by the British colonial authorities to keep 331 duplicate artifacts, which remained in his family’s private collection.
The Cultural and Religious Significance
The Piprahwa relics are of immense importance to Buddhists worldwide, as they directly connect to the life of the Historical Buddha. Stupa enshrinements played a vital role in early Buddhist devotion, serving as pilgrimage sites for followers. These relics represent:
- One of the earliest surviving Buddhist treasures, dating to the 5th-3rd century BCE.
- Physical remnants of the Buddha’s era, providing insight into early Buddhist art, craftsmanship, and burial practices.
- A tangible link between modern Buddhist communities and the origins of their faith.
The discovery of these relics helped legitimize the historical existence of Siddhartha Gautama, which was previously reliant on oral traditions and scriptures.
Exhibitions & Preservation Efforts
Over the past six years, the Peppé family descendants have worked to ensure public access to the Piprahwa Gems. The artifacts have been exhibited in renowned museums, including:
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, USA)
- The Asian Civilisations Museum (Singapore)
- The Museum Rietberg (Zurich, Switzerland)
- The National Museum of Korea (Seoul, South Korea)
These exhibitions have provided scholars, historians, and Buddhists worldwide with an opportunity to study and appreciate the craftsmanship and religious significance of the artifacts.
The Sotheby’s Auction: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
With their tenure of stewardship coming to an end, the Peppé family has made the decision to auction the Piprahwa Gems. Their hope is that the new custodian—whether an institution, collector, or Buddhist organization—will continue to preserve, honor, and share the relics with the world.
The upcoming Sotheby’s auction marks a historical moment, offering bidders the chance to own a collection that directly connects to one of the most revered figures in human history.
What Makes This Auction Unique?
A Direct Link to the Historical Buddha
- These are among the earliest and most authenticated relics of the Buddha, supported by inscriptions and scholarly research.
Exquisite Ancient Craftsmanship
- The jewels, pearls, and gold ornaments reflect the highly skilled artistry of the Maurya and early Sunga periods, highlighting the flourishing Buddhist culture of the time.
A Rare Opportunity for Museums and Collectors
- Buddhist institutions, museums, and private collectors have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to acquire a piece of religious and historical significance.
A Legacy That Spans Millennia
- The auction will determine the next steward of these sacred relics, ensuring that their legacy of devotion and reverence continues.
As the Piprahwa Gems change hands, their new owner will inherit not just an ancient collection but a sacred responsibility—a role that has been upheld for over two millennia.
This auction is more than just a sale; it is a moment in history, faith, and cultural heritage. Whether displayed in a museum, preserved in a temple, or added to a prestigious collection, the Piprahwa Gems will continue to inspire awe, devotion, and historical fascination for generations to come.