The Netherlands government has announced plans to return more than 100 Benin Bronzes, which were looted by British troops from Nigeria in the late 19th century.
These invaluable artifacts were taken during the violent destruction of Benin City, located in present-day Edo State, Nigeria, in 1897.
Thousands of the culturally significant sculptures and carvings, known for their historical and artistic value, were sold to private collectors and museums, including the Wereldmuseum in the Netherlands, where they have been displayed for decades.
The return of 119 artifacts is being hailed as the largest repatriation of Benin antiquities.
According to Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), this marks a historic moment in the restitution of cultural heritage.
While the term “Benin Bronzes” is widely used, not all the artifacts are bronze. They include figurines, tusks, sculptures of Benin’s rulers, and an ivory mask, created between the 15th and 19th centuries.
A transfer agreement is scheduled to be signed as part of this significant repatriation effort.
