London’s Horniman Museum and Gardens has officially handed over ownership of six artefacts, including two Benin bronzes, to the Nigerian government.
The institution is returning a total of 72 artefacts, including 12 Benin bronzes, to their place of origin in Nigeria following a request by Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM).
The first six objects to be repatriated were handed to Nigerian officials at a ceremony on Monday (28 November). The Horniman Museum described the return as “moral and appropriate”.
The artefacts were looted by the British during the Benin Expedition of February 1897. The remaining 66 objects will stay in the UK on loan for 12 months, with a second phase of repatriations taking place in the future.
The Horniman’s move puts pressure on the British Museum to follow suit. Nick Merriman, chief executive of the Horniman, said (via Sky News): “Journalists who ask me about the Benin return always want to ask me about the British Museum.
“I would rather talk about what an excellent example the Horniman is, rather than answer questions about the British Museum.”
Abba Tijani, the NCMM’s director-general, said around 5,000 Benin bronzes are currently “scattered” around the world.
He added: “I feel that the right thing has been done and the Benin people and Africa have the opportunity to see and interact with these objects that they have not been able to do for many decades.”
Benin bronzes returned to Nigerian government
The six objects being returned by the Horniman Museum are two brass plaques, a brass hip ornament, an ivory staff of office, an ivory arm cuff and a carved wooden box frame.
The German, Nigerian and British governments are also collaborating on a project to build a hub of museums in Edo State to showcase returned Benin bronzes.
Elsewhere, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art has returned 29 Benin bronzes to Nigeria.
Images: Horniman Museum
