The Netherlands Returns 119 Historical Bronze Artworks to Nigeria
Over the past few years, museums globally have committed to returning art and artifacts that were taken from their original locations. The most recent establishment to honor this pledge is the Wereldmuseum, located in the Dutch city of Leiden. Alongside the Netherlands government, they have returned 119 pilfered artifacts, referred to as Benin Bronzes, to Nigeria.
These actions stem from the efforts of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), which has sent repatriation appeals to museums worldwide, including the Wereldmuseum, where these artifacts were showcased for many years. In February, the Dutch museum agreed to return the items, officially handing them over during a ceremony at the National Museum in Lagos. As stated by Olugbile Holloway, the NCMM director, this represents the largest single repatriation to date.
Although these figurines are called the Benin Bronzes, not all are actually made of bronze. The term references objects of spiritual and historical importance to the descendants of the ancient Benin kingdom. These items were crafted between the 15th and 19th centuries and feature jewelry, statues, tusks, and even an intricately carved ivory mask that belonged to a past ruler of the Kingdom of Benin.
Holloway explains that these pieces are “embodiments of the spirit and identity of the people from which they were taken.” The handover ceremony was officiated by Oba Ewuare II, the current leader and custodian of Benin culture, who remarked that the return of the Benin Bronzes is “a testament to the power of prayer and determination.”
Just as the Benin Bronzes symbolize pride, their absence served as a painful reminder of historical wrongs. The artifacts were seized in 1897 by British troops during a raid that culminated in the Kingdom of Benin’s incorporation into colonial Nigeria. This incident also forced the sitting king of Benin, Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, into exile.
“With this return, we are aiding in correcting a historical injustice that is still experienced today,” asserts Eppo Bruins, the Dutch minister of culture, education, and science. Presently, the British Museum retains over 900 Benin Bronzes in their inventory, while Germany has returned 20 and has committed to returning over a thousand more.
Regarding the returned artifacts, some will be displayed at the National Museum, whereas others have been given back to Oba Ewuare II. The Nigerian government also intends to establish the Edo Museum of West African Art in Benin City, the former location of the Kingdom of Benin, slated to open in 2026. The building, designed by architect Sir David Adjaye, will house the largest collection of Benin Bronzes in existence.