auction Sikh Guru's body armour

LUDHIANA: A rare piece of body armour that experts believe belonged to the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, would be auctioned in one of London's most prestigious auction houses, Sotheby's, next month.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/20777-auction-sikh-gurus-body-armour.html

Only a few days ago, an untitled work by M F Hussain fetched $ 409,000 during Sotheby's New York spring sales of Indian art. Meanwhile, the Sikh Guru's inscribed steel armour plate would be auctioned in Sotheby's Arts of the Islamic World Sale that the auction house has termed as the "most important of its kind the company has ever staged" on April 9.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=20777

The auction, first of its kind offering a relic belonging to a Sikh Guru, comes at a time when the interest in Sikh heritage among art collectors and connoisseurs of Sikh heritage across the globe is growing, said Amandeep Singh Madra, a London-based art historian, who specialises in Sikh art and heritage.

Sikh heritage objects have been realising impressive prices in recent times. The most remarkable example was that of the marble bust of Maharaja Duleep Singh. In an auction held at Bonham's in April 2007, it was bought for £1.7 million, much above the expected price of £30,000.

The plate, which would be included in the Arms, Armour and Militaria section of the sale, has an estimate of 10,000-12,000 pounds, according to a Sotheby's release.

The steel plate would originally have been part of a set of body armour known by its Persian name, 'char-aina' (four mirrors) comprising back, front, and two side plates, Madra said

 
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Our Gurus have taught us to value every single life. Bhai Kanhaiyaa's message was that we should connect with all of humanity. Our tradition teaches us to stand up to every injustice.

I am getting kind of upset. This is about art and history. But it also about a religious relic and a culturally important artifact. No different from the artifacts that are protected by national and international laws because they have no price -- they belong to the culture and the people of Northern India of Guru's time and to the followers of the Sikh faith. As with Egyptian, South American, Mexican icons and religious objects from the past. So why would these items not be repatriated? Someone please explain.

hi,
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=20777
I agree to you and it also depends does the person who buys it will respect it or not.

Well there are 2 threads going on this now. Of late the SGPC has petitioned the English government to intervene and stop the auction. The argument being that these are relics and should be protected in the same way that artifacts from ancient civilizations are protected by international law. They should be restored to the culture/country/institutions where they originated. Ideally these relics of Sri Guru Gobind Singh would be returned to the Punjab and preserved in a museum or other institution aligned with Sikhism.

We wish to stop the auction and handover the things to the punjab goverment to take care of. OR the thing should only be auctioned within the sikhs who can take care of that. PLEASE is there any way we can do that?

Sikh Warrior

I have to go back and find the article where the SGPC stepped in -- to see what the actual details were. So far I have not had any luck.

As for a political action strategy -- that is a really good idea. But not something I know how to do. The forum members could start thinking about who and how to place pressure.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=20777
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=20777

Also, when is the auction schedule? Is there time?

But yes I was really upset when I read about this auction.

Ji

Here is an update, just recently from Newsmaker, on the latest information -- reactions from Southeby's auction house and political action by political and religious bodies in Punjab.

Armour did not belong to Sikh guru: Sotheby's @ NewKerala.Com News, India

Another story surfaces. That there is doubt that the suit of armour belong to Sri Guru Gobind Singh, that a rumor was started. Now what to think. But it is true that Akaal Ustad is inscribed on this relic as it was on the Guru's sword.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=20777



SikhNet News Archive - UK gurdwara doubts origin of Guru's armour - 04/01/2008

If you look at the armour from the Patiala family that is reputed to have been given by Guru Gobind Singh it is almost identical to the one being auctioned at Sothbys.

Given the fact that behind this is someone (probably British) who is trying to make money, it is not surprising that the fact it might be Guru Ji's is being played down. I've met Madra and one thing I can say about him is that he is passionate about preserving Sikh heritage, whatever unorthodox view he may have of Sikh history.

Another thing is that the section being sold is part of a four piece set. I wonder if the seller has the other 3 pieces and is trying to sell it bit by bit to make a higher profit.