Is the British Museum returning the Benin Bronzes?
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A museum in Newcastle upon Tyne is the latest UK institution to announce plans to return a Benin bronze to Africa.
Who has returned Benin Bronzes?
The University of Aberdeen and Jesus College Cambridge became the first institutions in the world to return Benin bronzes when they handed it back to the Nigerian High Commission last year.
What is the controversy over the Benin Bronzes?
The Benin Bronzes: A Question of Ownership Wrong. As of July 2021, controversy has arisen over who will retain ownership of the objects once they are deaccessioned and back in Nigeria. Will they belong to the Oba, from whose palace they were taken?
How were the Benin Bronzes stolen?
The artefacts, mostly in Europe, were stolen by explorers and colonisers from the Benin Kingdom, now southwestern Nigeria, and are among Africa’s most significant heritage objects. They were created as early as the 16th century, according to the British Museum.
Where are the Benin Bronzes now?
The British government has argued that the Benin Bronzes “properly reside” in the British Museum, which has the largest collection of them in the world – with more than 900 pieces. Hosting the ancient objects in London also ensures they are accessible to the world, the UK authorities say.
How did the Benin Bronzes get to the UK?
The Benin Bronzes were scattered around the world after 1897 Brought to Britain by returning members of the expeditionary force, some Bronzes were kept in private collections until the person died, while others were sold to fund the expedition.
When did the British steal the Benin Bronzes?
1897
The bronze was one of hundreds stolen during the invasion of Benin City by the British in 1897. It is believed a dispute between Nigerian leaders about where to put the sculptures has slowed the repatriation.
When were the Benin bronzes stolen?
What is the origin of the Benin Bronzes?
The Benin Bronzes come from Benin City, the historic capital of the Kingdom of Benin, a major city state in West Africa from the medieval period. Benin became part of the British Empire from 1897 to 1960 and is now within the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Is the British Museum stealing Benin Bronzes?
Because of the vast number of Benin Bronzes in its collection, the British Museum has repeatedly been the subject of protests from activists, scholars, and artists who claim that the institution owns stolen property.
How many objects from the Kingdom of Benin are in the museum?
There are around 900 objects from the historic Kingdom of Benin in the British Museum’s collection. Over 100 can be seen in a permanent changing display within the Museum’s galleries. Objects from Benin are also lent regularly around the world.
When did Benin become part of Nigeria?
Benin became part of the British Empire from 1897 to 1960 and is now within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Today the modern city of Benin (in Edo State) is the home of the current ruler of the Kingdom of Benin, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II.