Netherlands to Return its Share of Nigeria’s Looted Treasures: 120 Statues Set for Repatriation

Netherlands to Return its Share of Nigeria’s Looted Treasures: 120 Statues Set for Repatriation

A museum in the Netherlands has announced it will return 119 bronze artifacts looted from the old Kingdom of Benin in West Africa. One of the most notorious and ongoing disputes over looted art during colonial activities, most of the hundreds of Benin Bronzes stolen from the kingdom by the British in the 19th century […] The post Netherlands to Return its Share of Nigeria’s Looted Treasures: 120 Statues Set for Repatriation appeared first on Goo…

Nigeria’s museum agrees with royal ruler on custody of Benin Bronzes - Regional Media News

By Ope Adetayo LAGOS (Reuters) – Nigeria’s national museum commission will be responsible for retrieving and keeping priceless Benin Bronzes, taking on the task with the assent of the royal ruler appointed sole owner and custodian of the objects nearly two years ago, its head said. Nigeria is on a quest to recover thousands of intricate bronze sculptures and castings that were looted by British soldiers during a raid on the then-separate Kingdom…

The Netherlands returned 119 Bronzes from Benin to Nigeria, marking a milestone in the restitution of cultural property plundered during the colonial era. The pieces, looted in 1897 by British troops, will return to their place of origin after an agreement with the National Commission of Museums and Monuments of Nigeria. The surrender reinforces Africa’s global claim for the return of its heritage and is part of the reparations agenda for coloni…

Netherlands to Repatriate Over 100 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria - The Florida Star

Pendants worn by high-ranking officials (Wereldmuseum)   The Netherlands is set to return more than 100 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, marking a significant step in addressing the colonial-era looting of African cultural heritage. These historical artifacts were taken during the British invasion of Benin City in 1897 and subsequently found their way into Dutch museum collections.   During the violent raid on Benin City—now located in Edo State, Niger…

One hundred and nineteen bronzes from Benin, looted in 1897 during a British military expedition, will be returned by the Netherlands to Nigeria. Germany, the United States or the United Kingdom have taken similar steps to ensure that works stoned during colonization are returned to their country of origin.