Dear all, 

I just wanted to follow up on this earlier thread regarding the Piprahwa Buddhist gemstones. 

After much effort, I finally received the estimate on request from Sotheby's. "The estimate is upon request, around HKD100m. But the bidding will start below HKD10m, to ensure it’s accessible to everyone." 

Apparently, USD$1.3 million is "accessible to everyone"! The final estimate is about USD$13 million. Hopefully whomever purchases this lot does not allow it to disappear from view again. 

Best,
Patricia 
From: Patricia SAUTHOFF
Sent: Thursday, March 6, 2025 3:37 PM
To: INDOLOGY <indology@list.indology.info> <indology@list.indology.info>
Subject: Article from Orientations July/August 2023 VOLUME 54 - NUMBER 4
 
Dear all,

I am wondering if anyone has a softcopy of the following article: 

John Guy. Buddha and the Jewel-filled Casket: The Piprahwa Reliquaries and the Cult of Relics in Early Indian Buddhism. Orientations. July/August 2023 VOLUME 54 - NUMBER 4

It seems my university only has access up to 2020. 

Yesterday I had the opportunity to see the Priprahwa gemstones, which will go up for auction in Hong Kong in May. https://www.sothebys.com/en/auction-catalogue/2025/the-piprahwa-gems-of-the-historical-buddha?locale=en&s=intro

They were quite something to behold, especially as I had them nearly to myself. Apart from the two guards, my companion and I only had to share the space for a few minutes with a woman who circumambulated the collection and quietly recited some mantras. 

Specifically, I am curious about the gemological makeup of the collection. I know there are aquamarines, carnelians, and garnets but I am curious if the collection includes any precious stones, such as diamonds, rubies, sapphires, etc., or if the collection is limited to only semi-precious/fine and ornamental stones. 

Many thanks,
Patricia 


Patricia Sauthoff
司徒 雛菊 
Assistant Professor
Department of History
Hong Kong Baptist University 

Current project: Mineral and Metal Anti-Aging Recipes in Rasaśāstra 
Author: Illness and Immortality

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