Nigeria Open To Loans Rather Than A Permanent Return Of Bronze Artifacts - Foreign Affairs - Nairaland
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| Nigeria Open To Loans Rather Than A Permanent Return Of Bronze Artifacts by anonymous6(f): 4:21pm On Oct 09, 2018 |
Nigeria could accept the temporary loan of a collection 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 that were taken during the colonial era, from Greece’s Elgin Marbles to Ethiopia’s Magdala treasures. The Benin Bronzes are a collection of intricately-worked sculptures and plaques in bronze, ivory, ceramic and wood that decorated the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin, which was subsequently incorporated into British-ruled Nigeria. Benin was one of the most powerful kingdoms in West Africa, flourishing in the Middle Ages before it was weakened by succession struggles and civil wars. It also leant its name to the modern-day nation of Benin, which borders Nigeria. 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, including the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, as well as Germany, Austria and the US. Nigeria has sought their return since independence from Britain in 1960. Godwin Obaseki, the governor of the southern Nigerian state of Edo where Benin City is now located, said that museum officials in Europe have 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 of works," 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, which lent one of the Elgin Marbles in its collection to St Petersburg's State Hermitage Museum in 2014, told Reuters it had not received a formal request for any loans from Nigeria's government. "But we are open to consider any specific proposals when they are made and we remain in dialogue with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments," it said in a statement. The current king of Benin has already identified a site for a new museum to accommodate the collection, close to his palace. "There is an ongoing dialogue between the palace of the Oba of Benin and some renowned museums in the world," said Frank Irabor, secretary of the Benin Traditional Council. The Benin Bronzes depict scenes from court life involving kings, warriors and royal officials. Some also feature European adventurers and traders, distinguishable by their long hair, weapons and clothing. “While belonging to well-established West African tradition of royal palace decoration, the Benin brass plaques represent a distinct and unique corpus of work, unparalleled elsewhere on the continent,” the British Museum says of the large number of objects in its possession. Eric Ogbemudia, 62, an expert in metal sculpture, 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. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/06/20/bringing-home-benin-bronzes-nigeria-open-loans-rather-permanent/ |
| Re: Nigeria Open To Loans Rather Than A Permanent Return Of Bronze Artifacts by Horus(m): 8:22am On Oct 10, 2018 |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzHDzV1jZ1U British Museum offers to loan stolen Benin Bronzes to Nigeria Nigeria's government is in talks with the UK to accept the return of rare bronze statues that were stolen by the British more than a century ago. The British, however, want to loan the stolen work to the African country instead |
| Re: Nigeria Open To Loans Rather Than A Permanent Return Of Bronze Artifacts by meobizy(f): 2:25pm On Oct 10, 2018 |
This is a case of putting the cart before the horse. Those artefacts were stolen. It is only right they are returned first before any foolish transaction can then take place. With the length of time those things have spent in the white man's land they have at least achieved the status of pricelessness. It is said and demonstrated time and time again: the problem with Africa is not the people but the leaders they select. Then again it's foolish people who always choose foolish leaders so the problem comes full circle. I wonder if the special forces agent who pulled out a few of Patrice Lumumba's teeth as souvenirs has returned them. I doubt he has. His children or grandchildren will turn millionaires when the deceased leader's country of origin requests for them back. 1 Like |
| Re: Nigeria Open To Loans Rather Than A Permanent Return Of Bronze Artifacts by anonymous6(f): 3:57pm On Jan 30, 2020 |
meobizy: Sad it is what it is but doesn't surprise me |
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