The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art has returned 29 Benin bronzes to Nigeria. The bronzes were stolen by the British during the Benin Expedition of 1897.
Of the 29 objects, 20 were given back to Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) and nine will remain on loan to the National Museum of African Art for later display.
The bronzes were returned to Nigeria as part of the Smithsonian’s new ethical returns policy, which was announced earlier this year. The policy authorises Smithsonian museums to transfer items to the communities of origin for ethical reasons.
“Not only was returning ownership of these magnificent artifacts to their rightful home the right thing to do, it also demonstrates how we all benefit from cultural institutions making ethical choices,” said Lonnie Bunch, Smithsonian secretary.
Smithsonian’s ethical returns policy
“Sharing knowledge and stewardship with origin communities will help us better understand and preserve important cultural heritage like the Benin bronzes and illuminate it for future generations in the United States and around the world.”
The Benin bronzes entered the National Museum of African Art’s collection through purchase, transfer, donation and bequest. 20 of them were transferred from the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
“By returning the artefacts, these institutions are together writing new pages in history,” said Lai Mohammed, Nigeria’s minister of information and culture. “Their brave decision to return the timeless artworks is worth emulating.”
Abba Tijani, NCMM’s director-general, said he hopes the return inspires other institutions to return African artifacts.
“We hope for great collaborations with these museums and institutions and we have already opened promising discussions with them concerning this,” Tijani said.
“The entire world is welcome to join in this new way of doing things. A way free from rancours and misgivings. A way filled with mutual respect.”
In addition, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History has a collection of 20 Benin bronzes.
“Provenance research for that collection has been undertaken and will be submitted to the Board of Regents as a request to deaccession bronzes obtained during the 1897 expedition and return them to Nigeria,” the Smithsonian said in a statement.
Earlier this year, London’s Horniman Museum and Gardens agreed to transfer the ownership of its Benin bronzes.
Images: Smithsonian
