Gandhi items fetch $296,000 in commission

Mahatma Gandhi's iconic round eye glasses and other personal belongings, sold for $1.8 million (Rs 9.3 crore) at an auction here, fetched as much as $296,000 (RS 1.53 crore) in commission, according to Antiquorum Auctioneers.

A day after the precious articles went under the hammer, the auction house announced that Gandhi's pocket watch, sandals, glasses, bowl and plate were "indisputably" the star attraction at the auction and fetched a total of $2.096 million, commission included.

It said it was pleased that the objects -- bought by Indian liquor baron Vijay Mallya -- will be returning to India.

The bowl and plate, which came under the hammer, were used by Gandhi for his last meal.

"The sale of the spiritual and political leader of India's possessions had stirred worldwide interest and had been closely watched by collectors and supporters of Gandhi worldwide," Antiquorum Auctioneers Chairman Robert Maron said in a statement here last night.

Antiquorum also said it was pleased that the articles will be returning to India and "we know this was the hope of the Indian people, as well as many others around the world."

Just before the auction, owner of Gandhi's items James Otis had agreed to withdraw them from the auction but Antiquorum did not agree. It argued that it could have a big liability if it allowed the items to be withdrawn from the auction as more than 30 bidders had already registered for them and some had even sent in written bids.

As soon as the auctioneer announced the items as sold, a large number of Indian-Americans, who had come to witness the auction or to bid, burst into loud round of applause. The auction activity was suspended for several minutes as the community leaders congratulated each other.

Mallya, who had in 2004 bought Tipu Sultan's sword from a London auction house, said he was bringing Gandhi's memorabilia to Delhi and would be "presenting these to the government."

However, the industrialist, who was in France, appeared displeased at the government's claim that it had arranged for procurement of Gandhi's personal effects through him, saying his participation in the auction was purely a personal decision and a matter of pride.

In New Delhi, the government had earlier said it worked on various options, one of which bore fruit as the bid was won through Mallya in a strategy to ensure that the items do not fall into the hands of a foreigner.