Sotheby’s postpones Piprahwa relic auction after India intervenes

India’s Ministry of Culture issued a legal notice and held talks with Sotheby’s over jewels associated with the Piprahwa Buddhist relics. Sotheby’s postponed the Hong Kong sale scheduled for May 7 and removed the auction page, according to the ministry. Sotheby’s later facilitated the collection’s return to India in July 2025. Image courtesy of Sotheby’s.
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