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.
In 2022, Germany was the first to return over 20 Benin bronzes in a bid to deal with its “dark colonial history”.
“With this return, we are contributing to the redress of a historical injustice that is still felt today,” said Dutch Minister of Culture, Education, and Science Eppo Bruins, reports the AFP news agency.
Minister Bruins: “This restitution contributes to redressing a historical injustice that is still being felt today. Cultural heritage is essential for telling and living the history of a country and a community. The Benin Bronzes are indispensable to Nigeria. It is good that they are going back.”
DG Holloway: “The return from the Netherlands will represent the single largest return of Benin antiquities directly linked to the 1897 British punitive expedition. We thank the Netherlands for their cooperation and hope this will set a good example for other nations of the world in terms of repatriation of lost or looted antiquities. ”
