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Africa: 'Restitution' of Looted African Art Just Continues Colonial Policies - Much More Is At Stake
The Conversation Africa, 13 October 2022
The violence of the past is far from over. But it is disguised in many ways, made invisible and normalised. What started with the Spanish, Portuguese or the Ottoman empires… Read more »
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Nigeria: Stolen Artefacts - U.S. Returns 29 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria
This Day, 12 October 2022
Bronzes were transferred in a ceremony at the National Museum of African Art in Conjunction with the National Gallery of Art Read more »
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Nigeria: Nigeria to Loan Seven Benin Bronzes to U.S. Museum
Premium Times, 12 October 2022
In August, the Horniman Museum and Gardens in London announced that it would transfer a collection of 72 Benin Bronzes to the Nigerian government. Read more »
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Nigeria: Nigeria Hails U.S. Over Benin Bronzes Repatriation, to Exhibit Returned Artworks
Leadership, 11 October 2022
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has commended the United States for the repatriation to Nigeria 23 Benin bronzes, part of the thousands of artifacts… Read more »
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Nigeria: Nigeria Reclaims 31 Stolen Benin Bronze Artifacts From U.S. Museums
Vanguard, 11 October 2022
The Nigerian government on Tuesday reclaimed 31 stolen Benin Bronze models from three U.S. Museums after 125 years. Read more »
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Nigeria: Govt Hails U.S. Over Repatriated Benin Artefacts
This Day, 12 October 2022
The federal government has applauded the United States of America over the repatriation to Nigeria, 23 Benin Bronzes, which were part of the thousands of artifacts that were looted… Read more »
U.S. Latest Nation to Return Antiquities Stolen From Africa
The U.S. has been commended by Nigeria's Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed for the repatriation of 31 Benin bronzes - part of thousands of artefacts that were looted by the British during their invasion of Benin Kingdom in 1897. The Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art transferred ownership of 29 Benin bronzes to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in Nigeria. The National Gallery of Art, and the Rhode Island School of Design Museum returned one each.
In September 2022, New York federal agents seized 27 looted antiquities worth more than U.S.$13 million from New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), which will be returned to Egypt and Italy respectively. According to U.S. authorities, the MET made purchases from an Italian gallery in 1979 which was only investigated for illegal practices in 2001.
The return of artefacts that were looted in the colonial era has become an increasingly pressing issue for western nations. Nigeria is set to receive more artefacts from Netherlands, the UK, and Germany. Nigeria is building a museum in Benin city to house the looted artefacts after they are returned.
InFocus
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At least 20 artefacts that were looted from the former west African kingdom of Benin 125 years ago have been handed over by Germany to Nigeria. The Benin Bronzes are ... Read more »
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London's Horniman Museum has said that 72 artifacts would be handed over to the Nigerian government. Among them are 12 brass plaques, known as Benin Bronzes, a brass ... Read more »
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Priceless artifacts taken from African nations during Germany's colonial period will be permanently returned. After a century of restitution claims, Germany is transferring o Read more »
