Germany returns Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

Around 1,100 priceless artefacts are to be handed back, more than a century after they were looted by British soldiers from a once-powerful kingdom in west Africa


BENIN BRONZES

Thousands of brass, bronze and ivory sculptures and carvings stolen by British colonial expedition from royal palace of Kingdom of Benin – present-day Nigeria – in 1897

Following auctions at start of 20th century, bronzes ended up in museums and private collections in Europe and North America


BENIN
GULF OF GUINEA
NIGER
CHAD
NIGERIA
Kingdom of Benin (13th-19th century)
Abuja Benin City (formerly Edo)
CAMEROON
200km 125 miles


Relief plaque depicting king (oba) and four attendants (16th century), from Ethnological Museum in Berlin

British Museum, which holds largest collection (900 Benin Bronzes), claims it is prevented by UK law from returning them

Bronzes to be housed in forthcomingEdo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) in Benin City


Pictures: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Ethnologisches Museum / Claudia Obrocki; Adjaye Associates 
Sources: DW, BBC, Empires to Remember by Leonhard Harding 
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