Three years ago, the Horniman Museum agreed to return 72 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. The museum’s chair hailed the decision as ‘moral and appropriate’. Curators were promised that they were handing those artefacts over to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, a government agency tasked with preserving the country’s heritage.
But where are the Bronzes now? The sad reality is it is almost impossible to find out. Since their return, Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s President, has signed an official gazette confirming the Oba of Benin, not the National Commission, rightfully own the artefacts. There is little evidence that they are on display in any Nigerian museums. Have they disappeared into his private collection? The brass of the bronzes was likely traded by the Oba of Benin with Portuguese merchants in return for slaves. Now the artefacts have returned to the descendants of the man who sold them.
Across Britain, artefacts are being returned at an alarming rate.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in