Auction of 19th Century Naga Human Skull in UK Withdrawn Amid Uproar and Nagaland CM’s Letter

The 19th-century horned Naga human skull was listed for the auction with a starting bid of GBP 2,100 (approximately Rs 2.30 lakh).

A vintage 200 year old Naga human skull preserved in the UK will not be auctioned off now. The UK auction house, Swan Fine Art, has been forced to withdraw the auction of the 19th century Naga human skull following an uproar among the Nagas and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio writing an urgent letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar seeking his immediate intervention.

The proposed auction was withdrawn by the Swan Fine Art auction house in Tetsworth, Oxfordshire, UK hours before the bidding was to begin in the UK today.

It was slotted as Lot No. 64 at the auction with a starting bid of GBP 2,100 (approximately Rs 2.30 lakh), and auctioneers anticipated that it could ultimately sell for as much as GBP 4,000 (around Rs 4.39 lakh).

Soon, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) raised concerns over the matter.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had written an urgent letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar seeking his intervention to stop the proposed auction of Naga human remains.

“The news of the proposed auction of Naga human remains in the UK has been received by all sections in a negative manner as it is a highly emotional and sacred issue for our people. It has been a traditional custom of our people to give the highest respect and honour for the remains of the demised,” said CM Rio in his letter.

CM Rio urged the minister to take up the matter with the High Commission of India in London so that steps are taken to ensure that the auction of the skull can be stopped.

Later, Tom Keane, the owner of the auction house, stated that the Naga skull was withdrawn from auction respecting the emotions and sentiments of all parties concerned.

The auction house stated that it had not realised the offence that the antique Naga tribe skull would cause.

“We are legally within our rights to include the item in our sale, however as a mark of respect to the tribe and culture we have withdrawn the item from the sale,” it said.

Also read: Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio Urges External Affairs Minister To Halt Auction Of Naga Human Remains In UK

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