The Museum of Fine Arts Boston returned two looted artefacts to the Oba of Benin in a ceremony in New York City. The returned pieces—a bronze relief plaque and a terracotta head—were taken during the British punitive expedition in 1897. The artefacts will be handed over to Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments. The bronze plaque dates back to the 16th century, and the terracotta head to the 16th or 17th century, both having been part of the Pitt-Rivers Museum collection before their return.
The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Boston returned two artefacts to the Oba of Benin in a ceremony at Nigeria House in New York City.
The artefacts include a bronze relief plaque and a terracotta and iron head looted during the British punitive expedition attack on the Kingdom of Benin in 1897.
The first piece, Commemorative Head, is a 16th- or 17th-century sculpture, last sold in 1899.
The second piece, Relief Plaque Showing Two Officials with Raised Swords, was sold in 1898 after being taken by British forces.
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