Church of England to return looted bronzes to Nigeria

The works were given as gifts to then Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie almost 40 years ago.

CAPE TOWN, April 8 (ANA) – The Church of England has promised to return two Benin Bronzes to Nigeria as the return of treasures to the African continent gains momentum.

According to a report by British newspaper the Evening Standard, Lambeth Palace, the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, said it is in talks with the relevant stakeholders about the return of works that were given as gifts to then Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie almost 40 years ago.

The move comes amid growing pressure on institutions to return looted artworks.

Last month, Scotland’s University of Aberdeen said it will repatriate a Benin Bronze sculpture to a Nigerian museum as its acquisition is now considered to have been “extremely immoral”.

The bronze sculpture depicting a king of Benin is described as having been looted by British soldiers in Benin City in 1897 and was later acquired by the university in 1957 at an auction.

According to the Evening Standard, the Benin Bronzes are likely to end up at the planned Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA), which is being built in Benin City specifically to showcase the treasures of the African kingdom that is in present-day Nigeria.

After an attack by British troops in 1897, more than 5,000 works of art were looted from Benin, and much of the artwork remains scattered around the world.

Meanwhile, according to OkayAfrica, London’s Horniman Museum is reportedly considering the repatriation of a number of Benin Bronzes to the Nigerian government.

According to the report, the museum’s collection houses a number of plaques, figures, as well as a ceremonial paddle that were all looted during the colonial era.

In a statement, the museum said that they recognise that the collections in the Horniman were acquired at different times and under a range of circumstances, some of which would not be appropriate today, such as through force or other forms of duress.

“We understand that for some communities – whether in countries of origin or in the diaspora – the retention of some specific objects, natural specimens or human remains is experienced as an ongoing hurt or injustice.”

The museum added that in recognition of this, the Horniman trustees wish to set out transparent policies and procedures by which communities can enter into discussion with them about the future of this material, including its possible return.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher