The Netherlands says it will return more than 100 Benin Bronzes that British troops looted from Nigeria in the late 19th Century and which ended up in a Dutch museum
Thousands of these culturally significant sculptures and carvings were stolen during the violent destruction of Benin City, in modern-day Nigeria’s Edo state, in 1897.
The treasures were sold, some to private collectors and others to museums like the Wereldmuseum in The Netherlands, which has displayed these artefacts for decades.
The return of the 119 artefacts is the “largest repatriation of Benin antiquities”, said Olugbile Holloway, director-general of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM).
Despite the name, not all the statues are made of bronze. They include figurines, tusks, sculptures of Benin’s rulers, and an ivory mask. They were made during between the 15th and 19th Centuries.
A transfer of agreement is due to be signed on Wednesday. Mr Holloway added that he hoped this would set a good example for other countries.
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