Controversial Sikh armour withdrawn from London auction

London, Apr 7 (UNI) The controversial Sikh armour which was to go under the hammer at Sotheby's on April 9 has been withdrawn from the auction.

''Sotheby's announced today that lot 269, a rare Sikh steel armour plate, from North West India/Pakistan which belonged to 18th century (with an estimated cost of 10-12,000 pounds) has been withdrawn at the consignor's instruction,'' a press release said.

Sotheby's has been asked by the consignor to arrange the acquisition of the lot by a suitable member of the Sikh community.

''The armour was scheduled to be offered in the forthcoming Arts of the Islamic World sale in London on Wednesday, April 9, 2008,'' Sotheby's said in the press release.

According to reliable sources, the consignor, whose identity is not known, did not appreciate the uproar the armour had caused within the Sikh community and the media and has now asked Sotheby's to solicit the interest of suitable members from within the Sikh community.

So Sotheby's has withdrawn the armour from the open auction and will now, instead, hold a private sale.

UNI XC SZ HT1622