Nigeria Set To Receive Single Largest Return Of Benin Antiquities Linked To 1897 British Expedition

Published 22 days ago
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Items from a collection of metal plaques and sculptures taken from modern-day Nigeria in 1897, commonly referred to as the Benin Bronzes, are seen in a gallery of African relics in the British Museum on August 23, 2023 in London, England. British Museum officials launched an investigation into the theft of its artefacts after discovering that stolen items, comprising of gold jewellery, semi-precious stones and glass valued at up to £50,000, were being sold on eBay for as little as £40. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

These artifacts, which include a bell, relief plaques, a coconut casing, and a staff, were looted by British soldiers during the 1897 expedition.

Nigeria is set to receive the single largest return of Benin antiquities directly linked to the 1897 British punitive expedition.

This is according to Olugbile Holloway, Director General of the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

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The Netherlands has agreed to return 119 Benin Bronzes, including 113 objects from the Dutch State Collection and six additional objects from the municipality of Rotterdam.

“We hope this will set a good example for other nations of the world in terms of repatriation of lost or looted antiquities,” Holloway reportedly said.

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The Benin Bronzes are an essential part of Nigeria’s history and cultural identity, and their return is seen as a significant step towards rectifying the historical injustices of the past, according to Netherlands’ Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Eppo Bruins who made the decision.

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Related Topics: #Africa, #Benin, #Featured, #News Letter, #newsletter, #Nigeria, #South Africa.