The Latest Breaking News from Sotheby

Why auction of Buddha relics was called off and why it matters – an expert in Asian art explains

The slick online catalogue entry for “Premium Lot 1, The Piprahwa Gems of the Historical Buddha” on the Sotheby’s Hong Kong website was abruptly replaced on May 7 with a single line notification: “The auction has been postponed.”

The Conversation · May 30, 2025

Postcard from Cannes #3: Surfing a wave of French cinematic nostalgia

American director Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague and Sylvain Chomet’s Marcel et Monsieur Pagnol – both of which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival at the weekend – prove that the art of making cinema is an endless source of inspiration.

Radio France Internationale · May 19, 2025

Harvard Law School's Magna Carta 'copy' bought for $27.50 now believed to be priceless genuine

A manuscript once considered an unofficial copy of Magna Carta is now believed to be a genuine version and ''one of the world's most valuable documents'', according to two UK academics. It remained tucked away in Harvard Law School library for years, its true identity and value unknown until now.

Euronews · May 15, 2025

Gems supposedly buried with Buddha are to be sold at auction – it’s a symptom of Buddhism’s ongoing commercialisation

Almost 2,000 years ago in modern-day Uttar Pradesh, India, someone deposited a cache of gems inside a reliquary (a container for holy relics), along with some bone fragments and ash. The gems were precious, but the bones and ash even more so, for according to an inscription on the reliquary,…

The Conversation · May 9, 2025

Sotheby's postpones historical Buddha gems auction after backlash from India's government

Sotheby’s in Hong Kong postponed an auction of gems with ties to early Buddhism after backlash from India’s government, which said the jewels were the country's religious and cultural heritage.

Euronews · May 8, 2025

Sellout exhibitions, bad biopics and million-dollar jumpers: Why we can’t stop buying into the Diana industry

LET’S UNPACK THAT: Almost three decades on from her tragic death, the Diana industrial complex is still booming. Katie Rosseinsky explores how the legend of the people’s princess became big business

The Independent UK · May 8, 2025

Sotheby’s Hong Kong postpones auction of Buddha jewels after India threatens legal action

Auction of sacred Buddha relics paused to allow discussion between parties contesting ownership

The Independent UK · May 7, 2025

Sotheby's postpones auction of jewels associated with Buddha after backlash from India's government

Sotheby’s has postponed an auction of jewels associated with Buddha’s remains, originally scheduled for Wednesday, after the Indian government opposed the sale and demanded it be halted

The Independent UK · May 7, 2025

Auction of gems linked to Buddha postponed after India legal threat

Ministry of culture tells Sotheby’s it would be ‘participating in continued colonial exploitation’ if sale of gems goes ahead

The Guardian - UK · May 7, 2025

What are the Piprahwa gems, and why is India trying to stop their auction?

New Delhi says private sale of gems linked to the Buddha is unlawful and demands repatriation from Sotheby’s.

Al Jazeera · May 6, 2025