It is notable that the MFA’s artifacts were not restituted to the state of Nigeria, like those from the Netherlands, but to the current monarch of the ancient Kingdom of Benin, whose great-great-grandfather Ovonramwen was the Oba at the time of the 1987 British raid that saw many of the treasured artworks taken.
Oba Ewuare II, the non-sovereign monarch and custodian of Benin culture, described the return of the Netherlands’ artifacts at a ceremony held in Lagos, Nigeria as a “divine intervention,” adding that the restitution is a testament to the power of prayer and determination.
The Nigerian government will now decide how and where the works will be displayed, according to a statement from Dutch officials.
Meanwhile, at Nigeria House in New York City, Matthew Teitelbaum, the MFA’s director, said he was “pleased” to deliver the museum’s two works—a terracotta and iron commemorative head dating to between the 16th and 17th centuries and a bronze relief plaque showing two officials with raised swords from the 16th century—to Prince Aghatise Erediuwa, who received them on behalf of His Royal Majesty.
“As custodians of these exceptional objects for the past 12 years, it is deeply gratifying to see them returned to their rightful owner,” Teitelbaum said in a statement.
These recent handovers underscore a widening shift in museum ethics and restitution policy and mark an important chapter in the long journey of the Benin Bronzes.
With examples from GB, France and Germany.
