The Daily Telegraph

Looted Benin Bronzes could be ‘borrowed’ by Nigeria

Museum officials discuss loaning back treasures plundered by British in precedent-setting deal

- By Nick Squires

NIGERIA could accept the temporary loan of exquisite bronze sculptures rather than their permanent return by European institutio­ns, including the British Museum, officials have said. The prospect of a loan, rather than full restitutio­n, could set a precedent for other disputed art and artefacts taken during the colonial era, from Greece’s Elgin Marbles to Ethiopia’s Magdala treasures.

The Benin Bronzes are a collection of intricate sculptures and plaques in bronze, ivory, ceramic and wood that decorated the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin, which was incorporat­ed into British-ruled Nigeria.

They depict court life involving kings, warriors and royal officials. Some also feature European traders, distinguis­hable by their long hair, weapons and clothing.

The Benin Bronzes were plundered from the kingdom by British forces in 1897 during a punitive expedition.

They ended up in museums and galleries in Britain, as well as Germany, Austria and the United States.

In 2016, a cockerel that was among the bronze artefacts was removed from Jesus College in Cambridge after students called for it to be repatriate­d.

Nigeria has sought the return of the objects since independen­ce from Britain in 1960. Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo state in Nigeria, where Benin City is now located, said museum officials in Europe had floated the idea of returning the objects on loan.

“Whatever terms we can agree to have them back so that we can relate to our experience, relate to these works that are at the essence of who we are, we would be open to such conversati­ons,” Mr Obaseki told Reuters.

“In some cases it could be a permanent loan and in some cases it (could) just be for temporary display. In other cases it could be a return,” he said.

Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments said its officials had held talks with representa­tives of European museums and it was “not adverse” to the loan of artefacts.

As part of any deal, a legal framework would have to be drawn up to guarantee the artefacts immunity from seizure once flown to Nigeria.

Other countries, including Ethiopia and Greece, have rejected the idea of loans, instead demanding permanent returns on the basis that they should not have to borrow their own pilfered property.

The British Museum told Reuters it had not received a formal request for any loans from Nigeria’s government.

Eric Ogbemudia, 62, a sculptor who works in Benin City, said the bronzes should be returned.

“We will be happy if those stolen artefacts are brought back to Benin. But they stole them. Those items are the works of our forefather­s and they are very unique to us,” he said.

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