"The move comes after officials at the university supported a claim in 2022 by Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) for the "return to Nigeria of 116 objects currently held in [the museum] that were taken by British armed forces during the sacking of Benin City in 1897" ('Benin bronzes' refers to objects made of brass and ivory as well as bronze)."
"But returning the bronzes has been delayed for various reasons. In March 2023, Nigeria's then president, Muhammadu Buhari, transferred the ownership of those Benin bronzes which had been returned to the country-in 2022 the German government agreed to transfer ownership of 1,100 works- to Ewuare II, the current oba and head of the royal family from whom the British stole the treasures."
Cambridge University's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology will send about 100 Benin bronzes to Nigeria as part of a restitution initiative. The university supported a 2022 NCMM claim for the return of 116 objects taken by British forces in 1897. Returns were delayed while ownership and frameworks were clarified; in March 2023 President Muhammadu Buhari transferred ownership of returned bronzes to Oba Ewuare II. The university council confirmed transfer of ownership in July and most bronzes should return within months, with 16 remaining on loan. NCMM signed a five-year agreement to manage the bronzes for the oba, while plans for local museums have stalled amid protests.
Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events
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