A British museum will return 72 artifacts to the Nigerian government that were forcibly taken over a hundred years ago.
The Horniman Museum and Gardens agreed to hand over the artifacts, including several sculptures known as Benin bronzes, after receiving a request for the artifacts from the Nigerian government.
The pieces were looted from Benin City in southern Nigeria during a British military invasion in 1897, according to a statement from the museum's board of trustees.
"The evidence is very clear that these objects were acquired through force, and external consultation supported our view that it is both moral and appropriate to return their ownership to Nigeria," the board's chair Eve Salomon said in a statement.
The request to reclaim the stolen artifacts came in January, issued by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, a Nigerian agency that oversees the preservation of the country's historic and cultural properties.
Abba Tijani, NCMM's director, said in a statement that the agency "very much welcomes" the Horniman's decision and looks forward to future collaborations and loan agreements between the two organizations.
The Horniman undertook detailed research following the NCMM's request in order to compile all of the artifacts that pertained to the request, according to a statement from the museum.
The museum added that its staff consulted with community members, visitors, schoolchildren, academics, heritage professionals and artists based in Nigeria and the UK in order to reach a decision.
The collection that has been marked for the request includes 12 Benin bronzes, which are mostly made of brass, according to the British Museum.
There are also several everyday items, such as fans and baskets, alongside a brass co*ckerel altarpiece, ivory and brass ceremonial objects, brass bells and a key "to the king's palace," according to the museum's statement.
The regulator of the charitable sector in the UK, the Charity Commission, endorsed the decision of the Horniman trustees on August 5.
Now, Horniman and the NCMM will begin the process of the formal transfer of ownership, and discuss the retaining of some objects on loan for display, research and education, according to the museum.
Many of Nigeria's famed Benin bronzes remain scattered across the world due to the British looting in the 1800s.
However, museums are slowly working to repatriate the artifacts as Horniman is doing now.
Last fall, the French government and a British university both made agreements to send back Benin bronzes to Nigeria.
Last month, Germany returned two Benin bronze sculptures and signed a political agreement with Nigeria that could lead to hundreds more returning to the country in the future.
As a seasoned expert in the field of cultural heritage and repatriation, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the discussion on the recent decision by the Horniman Museum and Gardens to return 72 artifacts, including Benin bronzes, to the Nigerian government. My expertise is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of the historical context, legal frameworks, and ethical considerations surrounding the restitution of cultural artifacts.
The Horniman Museum's decision is firmly grounded in substantial evidence and careful deliberation. The artifacts, including the notable Benin bronzes, were identified as having been forcibly taken from Benin City in southern Nigeria during a British military invasion in 1897. This historical fact is a crucial piece of evidence supporting the claim for repatriation.
The chair of the museum's board of trustees, Eve Salomon, emphasized the clarity of the evidence, stating unequivocally that the objects were acquired through force. This assertion is reinforced by external consultations, validating the moral and appropriateness of returning ownership to Nigeria. The inclusion of community members, visitors, schoolchildren, academics, heritage professionals, and artists from both Nigeria and the UK in the decision-making process demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and thorough research.
The National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), the Nigerian agency overseeing the preservation of historic and cultural properties, issued the request for repatriation in January. This official request lends legitimacy to the claim, and the director of NCMM, Abba Tijani, expressed the agency's appreciation for the Horniman's decision and expressed anticipation for future collaborations.
The detailed research undertaken by the Horniman Museum following the NCMM's request involved the compilation of all artifacts related to the claim. This meticulous approach ensures a comprehensive and well-documented repatriation process. The collection earmarked for return includes not only the renowned Benin bronzes but also everyday items such as fans and baskets, as well as ceremonial objects like a brass co*ckerel altarpiece and ivory and brass artifacts.
The endorsem*nt of the Charity Commission, the regulator of the charitable sector in the UK, on August 5 further solidifies the legitimacy of the Horniman trustees' decision. This regulatory approval is a significant step in the formal transfer of ownership process.
The collaborative efforts between the Horniman Museum and the NCMM are crucial in initiating the formal transfer of ownership, which will include discussions on retaining some objects on loan for display, research, and education. This collaborative approach aligns with the global trend of museums working to repatriate cultural artifacts, as evidenced by recent agreements between the French government, a British university, and Germany to return Benin bronzes to Nigeria.
In conclusion, the Horniman Museum's decision to return the artifacts to Nigeria is rooted in well-substantiated evidence, ethical considerations, and a commitment to collaboration with the Nigerian government. This case reflects the growing momentum in the cultural heritage field toward acknowledging historical injustices and working towards the restitution of looted artifacts to their countries of origin.
