Horniman Museum to repatriate 72 artefacts to Nigeria. Read full article for more information. Artifacts that were stolen from the Kingdom of Benin in the nineteenth century, according to a London museum, will be returned to Nigeria .
The Horniman Museum announced that the Nigerian government would acquire ownership of 72 items.
12 bronze plaques, also referred to the Benin Bronzes, a brass cockerel, and a key to the king’s palace are among the items.
72 objects would be transferred to the Nigerian government. It is revealed by The Horniman Museum.
Among the items are 12 bronze plaques, sometimes known as the Benin Bronzes, a brass cockerel, and a key to the king’s palace.
The chair of the museum declared that returning them was “moral and proper.”
Political pressure on European governments and institutions to return plundered artefacts has grown in recent years.
These include metal sculptures called the Benin Bronzes and carvings made of ivory.
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HORNIMAN MUSEUM INFO:
The evidence Say that is extremely obvious that these artefacts were acquired through force, and external consultation. It backed our judgement that it is both moral and acceptable to return their ownership to Nigeria, said Eve Salomon, chair of the museum.
The Horniman is happy to have reached this point and is looking forward to working with the NCMM. Also to find longer-term care for these priceless artefacts.
The Horniman’s collection pieces are only a few of the artefacts that western museums have recently shipped back to Nigeria.
A cockerel sculpture and an oba’s head were returned to Aberdeen University and Jesus College in Cambridge last month (king).
More than 1,100 artefacts were also returned to the west African nation by German officials.
When the national museum in Benin has been expanded, some of the precious sculptures will be kept there. While others will be kept at the museum in Lagos, according to NCMM.
The largest collection of Benin bronzes may be found worldwide at the British Museum.
It claims that : the British Museum Act of 1963 and the National Heritage Act of 1983 prohibit it from permanently returning things.
