Now, Gandhi's gift to Irish friend to go under hammer

London, Jul 19 (PTI) With Mahatma Gandhi memorabilia
doing well at a recent Sotheby's auction, a bronze statue of a
seated Buddhist deity presented by him to his Irish friend
Emma Harker will now go on sale here on September 8.

The 13-inch-high figure, possibly of the Bodhisattva of
compassion Avalokitesvara, is estimated to sell for
3,000-5,000 pounds at Bonhams sale of Asian Art.

On July 14, three of Gandhi's autographed letters sold
for 4,750 pounds while a signed khadi cloth which was said to
have been woven by him went under the hammer for 2,125 pounds.

Emma went to India to stay with her daughter whose
husband was in the Civil Service there. It was through that
influential connection that she became close friends with
senior Hindu and Muslim politicians, particularly Sarojini
Naidu who accompanied Gandhi in his famous Dandi salt march.

A letter from Gandhi to Emma, dated September 19, 1934
suggests she volunteered to assist with relief work among the
poor in flooded areas of Bihar and Orissa. It may have been on
an appropriate occasion, such as this, that Gandhi presented
Emma with the Buddhist figure, the auction house said.

"Emma Harker who died in 1957 knew Gandhi well,
corresponding with him over a number of years, and on one
occasion introduced her granddaughter, the owner of this
sculpture now, to him," said James Hammond, head of Asian Art
at Bonhams.

According to Hammond, the little girl asked Gandhi if
he had any sweets for her.

"Gandhi replied that he didn't eat sweets but asked:
'Where would you keep your love for me? In your eyes or in
your stomach? The little girl answered: 'in my eyes'. And
Gandhi replied: 'Let it ever be so'," said Hammond.

On February 12, 1928, Gandhi wrote to Emma from the
Sabarmati Ashram, outlining to her the expenses and lifestyle
of ashram life.

Emma, who was then staying in New Delhi, did not want to
miss this opportunity and went to the ashram several times.
Gandhi even allowed her to smoke during these visits, the
auction house said.

While in prison, Gandhi gave a list of person who should
be allowed to visit him that included Emma's name, Hammond
said. PTI ZMN
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