Some cutlery
items, once used by Mahatama Gandhi during his incarceration at Aga Khan Palace in Pune, is set to be put on auction on January 10
in the United Kingdom’s Bristol. The selling articles include a small, rusted metal
bowl (katori), two wooden spoons, and a wooden fork, news agency ANI reported.

 “The set was used by Gandhi during
his incarceration at Aga Khan Palace in Pune (1942-1944) and at the Palm Bun
House in Mumbai. The bowl of simple metal construction, stamped 208/42 to base,
with a scalloped form leading to a flat base (approx. 21cm diameter). The
cutlery comprising a wooden fork and two carved wooden spoons are also of a
simple form, in the traditional manner (approx. 16cm long),” said the East Bristol Auctioneer’s catalog.

“All were, by repute, used daily by Gandhi and originally came from the collection of Sumati Morarjee a long-time friend and supporter of Gandhi, who cared for him on a number of occasions. The items are documented in the book Sumati Morarjee Felicitation (1970) and also in Vithalbhai Jhaveri’s epic film biography ‘Gandhi’. A full letter of provenance and history is supplied with the lot. An incredibly important set of historical artefacts, not only relating to Gandhi, but to the history of India,” it added.

The
opening price these belongings is expected to be GBP 55,000 which, after adding auctioneer’s
commission, GST, insurance, freight and Indian customs duty on import of
antique items would amount to Rs 1.2 crores.

The above mentioned amount however, is auctioneer’s low estimate, the higher estimate being GBP 80,000 which would take the landed cost in India to nearly Rs 2 crores.

It
must be considered that the auction bids are subject to high unpredictability and
can sometimes go up to two or three times the higher estimate given by the
auctioneer.

Gandhi Ji’s creations and personal belongings enjoy tremendous popularity by collectors across the globe but are rare in auctions and considered a golden opportunity for antique seekers.

The latest example being the auction of a pair of gold-plated spectacles believed to have been worn by Mahatma Gandhi sold in Britain for £260,000 (about 288,000 euros, $340,000) in August.