Nelson Mandela Auction Halted After Items Deemed To Be ‘National Treasures’

An auction of the late Nelson Mandela’s possessions, which was scheduled to take place on January 28, has been called off after inciting several controversies. 

The ‘Important Artifacts from the Life of Nelson Mandela’ sale had items from the late President of South Africa’s personal collection up on offer. This included annotated books, clothing, signed artwork, presents from former US Presidents, and even a signed copy of the South African constitution. 

Last month, according to Page Six, a South African cabinet minister had already spoken out against putting the key to Mandela’s Robben Island prison cell on auction, saying that the artifact “belongs to the people of South Africa.” 

“It is unfathomable for [the auction house] … to consider auctioning the key without any consultation with the South African government … It is not anyone’s personal belonging,” said Minister Nathi Mthethwa, as per The Art Newspaper.

Now, it seems none of the items will be going under the hammer after all. Arlan Ettinger, president of Guernsey’s Auction House, said that it had been contacted by the South African Heritage Resources Agency, which has “determined that these items were potential national treasures.” 

As such, the auction house would have to file for permits before removing the items from the country, which they had not done. This is despite many of the auction’s offerings being put up by the Mandela family itself, who are seeking to raise funds for a memorial garden and museum. 

To make things even more complicated, both the Mandela family and the South African agency are insisting the items be returned to them. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization has even offered to mediate the matter. 

“We have the unfortunate dilemma of being in the middle,” said the auctioneer.

“The government is insisting [the lots] be returned to the government, but the Mandela family is insisting that they be returned to them.” 

At the moment, it’s not yet known who the artifacts will be returned to, although Ettinger insists it’s not his auction house’s position to “make that call.” While the auction has been called off, it remains to be seen if the matter will be fully resolved soon.

[via The Art Newspaper and Page Six, cover image via Zhukovsky | Dreamstime.com]