25.05.2019 FEATURE ARTICLE

UK Rejection Of Restitution Of Artefacts: Confirmation Or Surprise? By Kwame Opoku, Dr. ‘’Truth must be repeated constantly, because error is being repeatedly preached round about all the few, but by the masses. In the periodicals and encyclopaedias, in schools and universities, everywhe confident and comfortable in the feeling that it has the majority on its side.” Johann Wolfgang von G

The United Kingdom Secretary for Culture is reported as having declared: “ Never mind the argume thing, let’s argue about how it gets to be seen ”. (2) Mr. Jeremy Wright whose pronouncements on o caused surprise made this statement in response to with respect to the debate on restitutio The Minister argued that if artefacts were returned to their countries of origin, there would be no on see multiple objects:‘ if you followed the logic of restitution to its logical conclusion ,according to W ‘no single points where people can see multiple things’ Wright also stated that the United Kingdom Crown of Tewodros II, looted laws to enable restitution of cultural artefacts to the various countries. at Maqdala, Ethiopia in 1868, now in Victoria and Albert , , United Kingdom. ‘His argument seemed to rely on the tired misconception that there would be nothing much left in our and “no single points wher things” if restitution was allowed.

This kind of thinking flies in the face of the informed conversation about decolonisation, restitution and repatriation that is taking place in at government level in many countries in Europe. ‘(3)

What Jeremy Wright is attempting to do is to revive the long discredited universal museum argument that artefacts of different cultures are understood when they are all gathered at one museum such as the . This universalist argument has been put better by Neil M director of the British Museum and one of the founding directors of the , . (4) Wright, like his predecessors, is past displacement of arguments. They try to avoid an argument by placing it on a level or in a field different from the original context.

No one has argued against a museum putting objects from different cultures in its exhibition hall or having in the same museum objects fro debate has always been about the ownership of the looted artefacts. Supporters of restitution have argued that these looted objects should b original owners. Supporters of the universal museum do not want to discuss the looting aspect and answer that it is only in their museums t from different cultures and that only in such museums can one appreciate these cultures. It is in the context of totally immoral or, if you pre the museum world, that those holding looted objects can openly declare that since they have more looted artefacts, you should not demand any artefact. Thus, those who have more looted artefacts build their strength on their accumulation of wrong doings. WN surprise

Hip mask of Queen Mother , Benin, , now in British Museum, London United Kingdom.

We leave aside the glaring Eurocentric nature of such arguments and the total absence of sympathy for the peoples who lost their artefacts European nations in their quest for total hegemony over the world. Many of the deprived persons cannot obtain even a visa to visit the citie museums are located.

The statement by Jeremy Wright must be viewed against the background of recent discussions on restitution of looted colonial artefacts in the Netherlands. Even Belgium which is considered by many as usually late in such matters, has signalled through the director of the Afric willingness to consider the restitution of certain artefacts to Africa. (5)

Readers will recall that in his famous declaration at Ouagadougou on 28 November 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron made a hist African artefacts must not only be seen in Paris but also in Dakar, Lagos and Cotonou. (6) He added that there was no permanent historical artefacts should be kept in French museums and collections whilst Africans have none of their artefacts. He wanted to restitute African arte years. The French President appointed Bénédicte Savoy, French art historian and professor at Collège de France and Technical University, Sarr, Senegalese economist, philosopher and professor at University Gaston Berger, St. Louis, Senegal, to study the issue and make recomm Sarr-Savoy report, The Restitution of African Cultural Heritage. Towards a New Relational Ethics, based on wide and intensive consultatio specialists, recommended that African artefacts that had been taken away from the continent by force or without the consent of the owners

The report sent shock waves across Europe and started a series of discussions and activities that are still continuing in many European coun receipt of the report, President Macron announced that 26 artefacts that had been looted by General Dodd’s invasion of Dahomey in 1892 w Republic of Benin.

Rosetta Stone, Egypt, now in the British Museum, London, United Kingdom.

The Germans started with their Guidelines for handling objects acquired in a colonial context but soon realized that that was not enough. A restitution of artefacts could not be solved by an instrument that was neither legal nor political. Recently culture ministers from 16 German agreed to work out with the museums procedures to move forward with restitution of looted artefacts that were acquired in a way that wou today. Dutch museums also issued new rules on claims for return of looted artefacts. Thus, many States recognize the need to advance on t

The Minister’s rejection of restitution comes after the Benin Dialogue Group (BDG) has decided to remove the item of restitution from its temporary loans of looted Benin artefacts to Nigeria/Benin. The Minister’s rejection then is a confirmation that restitution is definitely not the United Kingdom in cultural diplomacy. The director of the British Museum, , who declared that the Marbles and that their removal from was a ‘creative act, has also declared that the collections of the British Museum have to be preserved a

The position of the UK Minister for Culture, Jeremy Wright and Hartwig Fischer, Director of the British Museum, is a repetition and conti Museum’s position since decades. David M. Wilson, a former director of the museum has stated this in his book The British Museum A His

‘The Museum’s arguments against the return of property were first expressed in a statement by the Trustees in 1984:

Demands by Greece and others for the return of parts of the collections have consumed considerable time and energy in recent years. The government-has continued to withstand these demands and has sought to correct lack of understanding of its proper function as a universa unique role in international culture. The Museum’s collections are vested in its Trustees

In accordance with legislation enacted by Parliament, which since 1753 has prohibited them from permanently disposing of any object (oth has required them to ensure that the collections are preserved for the benefit of international scholarship and the enjoyment of the general this responsibility the Museum is open seven days a week, free of charge, throughout the year. The Trustees would regard it as a betrayal of precedent for the piecemeal dismemberment of the collections which recognise no arbitrary boundaries of time or place in their enduring w achievement of the human race’

The Museum’s arguments, which have been restated on a number of occasions in different contexts, do not rest purely on legalistic view; ra moral position which has been forcibly repeated’. (9)

Neil MacGregor, predecessor of Hartwig Fischer, had in many speeches indicated he was against restitution. He is reported to have declare

"I do not believe that there is a case for returning the marbles. It is a very happy result of history that half of these surviving fragments of t London. They have a purpose here because this is where they can do most good. The British Museum can situate the achievements of these context of the wider ancient world."

Furthermore, he praised his own museum: "The British Museum is one of the great cultural achievements of mankind: it is very important t Cameron is reported to have told Indian TV "The right answer is for the British Museum and other cultural institutions to do exactly what up with other institutions around the world to make sure that the things which we have and look after so well are properly shared with peop

"I certainly don't believe in 'returnism', as it were. I don't think that's sensible."(12)

Incidentally, several public opinion polls held in Great Britain on the question whether the Parthenon Marbles should be returned to Athen overwhelming majorities for restitution. But the British Government and the British Museum have not paid much attention to the wishes of on as usual with their negative retentionist policy of retaining looted artefacts. (13) It is noteworthy that Governments that pride themselve representative democracies are often unwilling to fulfil the wishes of their people. It is true though that in recent times such governments h difficulties in implementing the clear wishes of their peoples resulting from popular sources such as referenda

The political and social changes that have taken place in the world do not seem to have in anyway motivated the directors of the British Mu Government to change their imperialistic views on the looted artefacts that fill their museums. For them, their museum and country constitu world and artefacts of others that have been looted and brought to the museum are rightly there and should remain there.

During the long period in which the Europeans, especially the British were proclaiming loudly that they would not return any Nigerian arte Commission on Museums and Monuments was busy organizing with the Europeans major spectacular exhibitions such as Benin Kings and Nigeria 2007-2008, Kingdom of : from West Africa, 2010. Sadly, these exhibitions would not be shown in Nigeria and in othe Another successful cooperation was the African Lace Exhibition in , 2010-2011. Would the Europeans have adopted a different poli been so cooperative despite the negative attitude of the Europeans and insisted on reciprocity? (14)

In view of the foregoing, it is difficult to understand how some people came to believe that temporary loans could be turned later into perm restitution. Wright’s rejection of restitution certainly dampens enthusiasm for restitution and lays to rest all hopes that the United Kingdom similar to that of France and return looted artefacts. Wright’s rejection of restitution has the merit of clarity of position. The real question is parties involved in disputes over looted colonial artefacts have been equally clear. Have they also made it clear that they would accept noth

It cannot be said that, like Britain or like Greece, Nigeria has always been consistent, clear and determined in her policies on the subject of every Nigerian government and Parliament since Independence has called for the return of the looted artefacts from abroad. But decisions parliament were hardly implemented nor followed up. For example, under the government of Jonathan Goodluck, after a successful stoppin Queen-mother head by Sotheby’s in 2010 through the activities of Africans in the Diaspora, it was announced that a delegation would be se the issue of the . Nothing was heard about this decision. The names of the delegation were never announced and there was n delegation visiting Great Britain. Often one had the impression that many Nigerian announcements were made for domestic consumption. were not addressed to any particular government or museum and just hung in the air. For example, a recent declaration of the Nigerian Com and Monuments (NCMM) demanding that Nigeria’s looted artefacts be returned unconditionally was not addressed to any particular gover (15) That declaration was followed a few months later by discussions of loans of Benin artefacts. Often one had the impression that it was who was interested in fighting to secure the restitution of the Benin artefacts.

The indeterminate and indecisive attitude corresponded to what was described as a policy of ‘quiet diplomacy’ that was followed by the NC has not brought to Nigeria since Independence a single artefact from any museum. When as a result of agitation by students in Cambridge consider the restitution of the cockerel, Okukor, the NCMM was quick to claim that its policy of quiet diplomacy was working. (16) The N policy of quiet diplomacy which meant one did not come out with a clear and vigorous statement of demands. Whilst the British and other clearly stated in public places their position of not willing to return Nigerian artefacts, the NCMM seemed to be making its demands quietl shouted at rooftops and the other whispered in reception rooms. The policy of quiet diplomacy went so far that Nigeria did not even want t restitution of Benin artefacts at the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee on Restitution of Cultural Property, even when Nigeria had the

When we suggested that a more open and clear position such as Turkey and other States had adopted would be needed, the Director-Gener responded that he did not want to take a confrontational course. The Turkish option was not open to Nigeria. (17) Whilst Nigeria seemed re h ld f Ni i t f t it d t i t t d t t lk t Af i t i d th St t th t h i il i t t i th i built a first-class museum, the New , opened in 2009, and the reaction of Neil MacGregor, then Director of the British M location of the Parthenon Marbles was a question of the past and was never an important British contention! What mattered now was how governments can work together so that the Parthenon Marbles could be seen in China and Africa. (18)

New Acropolis Museum, Athens, Greece.

The Benin Dialogue Group does not take kindly to any comment on its removal of restitution from its objectives although many readers an years that this was their primary objective. (19) It seems the BDG wants to act without anybody paying careful attention to what it is doing authoritarian demand that we keep quiet about one of the most important African artefacts will certainly not be accepted. We will continue African intellectual and comment on important issues affecting the African peoples and our Continent.

Gold mask, 20 cm in height, weighing 1.36 kg of pure gold, seized by the British from Kumasi, Ghana, in 1873 and now in the Wallace Col Kingdom. The golden head was part of the treasures of King Kofi Karkari of Asante (Ashanti) that was looted by British troops during Brit

Members of the notorious British Punitive Expedition to Benin in 1897 posing proudly with looted Benin artefacts

The outright refusal of restitution by the British Secretary for Culture appears to be a very retrograde step when seen against the backgroun This backward position comes from the European State with the largest number of looted artefacts in its museums. British Museum alone h The refusal of restitution and offer of temporary loans indicates once more that many have not appreciated the real nature of the demand fo seeking to recover their looted artefacts are not demanding the return of those artefacts mainly for aesthetic reasons but more so for the pos history and their culture. Temporary loans do not serve that purpose. The symbolism that is represented by those artefacts is negated by any foreign culture or power. Painful histories of military defeat are prolonged by temporary loans. In many cultures, the objects looted by a fo desecrated would have to undergo a process of cleansing. How often can such artefacts undergo cleansing without losing totally their value of the culture that produced them? And how do you explain all this to future generations without depriving that culture of any credibility o

Kohinoor Diamond India. Seized by the British army in 1850 and donated to Queen Victoria, this 105-carat diamond is part of the crown o can be seen in Tower of London.

Instead of issuing veiled threats and innuendos, it might be helpful for all if someone could answer the questions we posed in our articles ,e finances of the loan arrangements, the duration of the loan and the exclusionary legislation by Nigeria which would provide immunity for t prevent the bringing of legal actions against the loan or the objects loaned. (22)

We could also be informed whether the ownership question has been dealt with or simply postponed till towards the end of the negotiation imply that the whole negotiations may finally breakdown on this point. As we know, the British Museum has always insisted that Greece m British ownership of the Parthenon Marbles before any discussions on a loan could start. Have the British adopted a different approach to N cannot imagine the British Museum adopting a different and favourable approach towards Nigeria, even though both Britain and Nigeria ar Greeks have been requesting the return of the Parthenon Marbles longer than Nigerians. Folarin Syhllon, Nigeria’s leading authority on suc written: ‘African countries seeking the return of cultural objects must have the endurance of the long-distance runner as typified by the per the return of the Parthenon Sculptures It is not for nothing that the Greeks gave us the marathon race. They are practising it in this affair. T that the former colonial powers and other wealthy European countries, particularly their museum professionals are loath to part with anyt locked up in stores and warehouses. The museum professionals first canvassed retention through the idea of the so-called ‘universal museu unravelling, they are now talking about travelling exhibitions that will never get to Africa. (23).

We fully share the view that in artefacts matters one may have to show great endurance. If Nigerians follow this advice, they would not let any pressure to accept measures such as temporary loans. They should refuse such measures and insist on full restitution. If after all that ha discussions on the issue, the rulers of the British Isles and their European friends do not see that in 2019 restitution is the only acceptable s artefacts, stolen in the notorious Punitive Expedition of 1897, we should not make matters easy for them by accepting a solution that will c African restitution demands. Oba with attendants, Benin, Nigeria, now in World Museum, formerly Ethnology Museum, Vienna, Austria Europeans? Will the 200million Nigerians be able to see the Benin artefacts within 3years? What about the peoples of Mauritania,4 million Mali, 20, Côte d’Ivoire, 24, Ghana, 26, Togo, 8, Benin Republic, 10, and Cameroon, 23? If we add 200million Nigerians. we have in West Africans who should see the Benin artefacts that have achieved the status of continental symbols in 3 years. One should also add the peopl Africa, Central Africa and Southern Africa to appreciate how what a loan of Benin artefacts instead of restitution to Nigeria implies. The te seems to indicate that the question of ownership has already been decided in favour of the European illegal holders. Indeed, when we raise European assumptions of ownership, we are more likely to be attacked by those who should be vigorously defending Benin/Nigeria’s right

Do Europeans need the Benin artefacts to show that they have also achieved a high level of sophistication in the past? Why are contempora withholding what Africans could use to counter the negative impressions created by racist and colonial ideas of the past? Do they still shar predecessors? They are proving to be intransigent about their possession of artefacts looted by their forebears even though they assert to ha colonialism in all its manifestations.

We note that there is no evidence that Nigeria has held consultations with Ethiopia, Egypt or Ghana, States that are also members of the Af and stand to be affected by decisions in Nigeria’s discussions with the European States and museums. Benin artefacts have achieved status achievements. Indeed, the hip-mask of Queen-Mother Idia was the symbol of FESTAC77, a pan-African festival of arts. Britain refused to Nigeria for the festival. Some may not see that as an insult to the whole Continent, but many Africans were shocked by the British actions going to be insulted again? Should the rest of Africa not be properly informed?

It has been suggested that there is no point in discussing whether loans, temporary or long-term or restitution would be the best for Nigeria would be done since Europeans would find an excuse for not doing any deal: they would argue that Nigeria has not fulfilled some condition example, to pay the insurance costs proposed. This may well be the speculation of a pessimistic critic or an African well aware of the vario in the colonial days to deprive Africans of their rights and freedom. Contrary to the impression Europeans may gain from a certain African trust and confidence in the words and acts of Western Europeans who are generally considered to be only interested in their gains and adva experience is not easily forgotten and when people hear about the continue disputes surrounding looted African artefacts, they wonder whe really independent.

Commemorative heads, Benin, Nigeria, now in World Museum, Vienna.

Another explanation of the unwillingness of Britain to return the famous artefacts has been provided by a British scholar: Given the history of defeat and humiliation (26) inflicted on African peoples by the greedy and aggressive acts of European imperialism, it only proper way to reduce the anger and resentment ensuing from such activities or from their histories would be a full restitution of the Be also demonstrate that our contemporary Europeans do not condone or accept the methods of the past and are committed to better future rel and Europe, putting behind several decades of slavery, colonialism and neo-colonialism.

Hans Cotter, well-known New York Times Art critic, has rightly stated

‘By contrast, the reaction to Mr. Macron’s proposal to restore art pilfered from Africa has varied widely, and no consensus on action has b Western institutions are on quaking ground with, it must seem, everything but good karma to lose. No doubt many are reluctant to even con restitution. But if justice prevails, they’ll have to. Otherwise, colonialism rolls on and on’. (27)

Europeans cannot assert that they reject slavery and colonialism and still hold on to the visible objects of imperialist oppression, namely, th through violent aggression. (28)

Future generations will be asking the same question that many are now asking: how is it possible to borrow temporarily for three years our from the very persons that stole them in 1897 or from their descendants?

Kwame Opoku.

Oba , in white robe, guarded by two armed policemen.

NOTES

1. "Und denn, man muß das Wahre immer wiederholen, weil auch der Irrtum um uns her immer wieder gepredigt wird, und zwar nicht von der Masse. In Zeitungen und Enzyklopädien, auf Schulen und Universitäten, überall ist der Irrtum oben auf, und es ist ihm wohl und behag Majorität, die auf seiner Seite ist." Goethe am 16. Dezember 1828 Johann Peter Eckermann, Gespräche mit Goethe in den letzen Jahren se Reclams Universal Bibliothek, Nr.2002, Stuttgart, 2006.

2. Minister rules out return of treasures | News | The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/minister-rules-out-return-of-treasures-2jlf3qh63 https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=dc0c2615-2287-4403-b5f2-9ca5276dfb93

Wright’s surprising statements include:

Adults who make more frequent visits to libraries, arts events or cultural sites tend to have better health and well-being than those who vis

Jeremy Wright's Value of Culture Speech - GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk › Society and culture

3. Restitution: a blunt “no” is not enough | Museums Association https://www.museumsassociation.org/.../23042019-restitution-a-blunt-no-is-not-enoug...

4. In defence of the British Museum, by Neil MacGregor, its director ...https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2004/jul/24/heritage.art

5. https://www.tellerreport.com/news/--what-concrete-actions-in-the-return-of-works-of-art-to-africa-----rfi-.r1Zlev7oV.html

6. Kwame Opoku - France Marches to Restitution of Looted African ...https://www.toncremers.nl/kwame-opoku-france-marches-to-restitu

[PDF] macron promises to return african artefacts held in ... - No Humboldt 21

Restitutions du patrimoine africain : « Il faut y aller dans la joie » https://www.lemonde.fr › Idées

7. The Restitution of African Cultural Heritage. Toward a ... - About Africa https://www.about-africa.de/images/sonstiges/2018/sarr_savoy_en.pdf

8. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/27/arts/design/macron-report-restitution-precedent.html

9. The British Museum A History, The British Museum Press, 2002, p.323. K. Opoku, “Will the British Museum ever modify its claim to be unquestionable legal owner of the Parthenon/ and all other Museum?” http://www.modernghana.com

12. India Says Britain Got Kohinoor Diamond Fair And ... - NDTV.com https://www.ndtv.com › All India

13. 88% of people support Parthenon Marbles return in Guardian Poll www.elginism.com/elgin-marbles/guardian-poll-shows-17-every...marbles/.../7281/

Opinion | Poll on The Return of The Parthenon Marbles https://www.modernghana.com/.../the-guardian-poll-on-the-return-of-the-parthenon-..

Who Needs Again Another Poll on The Parthenon Marbles? https://www.modernghana.com/.../who-needs-again-another-poll-on-the-parthenon-m

14. Report and Comments of the exhibition Benin-Kings and Rituals - Dr ... www.afrikanet.info/archiv1/index.php?option=com_content&task=view...0

Dr. Kwame Opoku on the Benin Exhibition - Benin Ausstellung in Wien ... www.afrikanet.info/archiv1/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id...

K. Opoku," Opening of the Exhibition Benin-Kings and Rituals: Court Arts from Nigeria, " http://www.elginism.com

Ile-Ife Triumphs in The British Museum, London: Who Said Nigerians ... https://www.modernghana.com/.../ile-ife-triumphs-in-the-british-museum-london-who .

African lace exhibition in Vienna - Part I: Lace in the 70s - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cac4aTJTAYc

Does collaboration with western Museums helps ... - Afrikanet.info www.afrikanet.info/menu/.../does-collaboration-with-western-museums-helps-nigeria/

15. Kwame Opoku - Nigeria Demands Unconditional Return of Looted ... https://www.toncremers.nl/kwame-opoku-nigeria-demands-unconditional-return-of-lo...

16. Opinion | Cambridge Resorts To Worn-Out Security Argument To ... https://www.modernghana.com/.../cambridge-resorts-to-worn-out-security-argument-t.

17. Restitution of stolen artefacts: Turkey option may be hard to adopt h // f i i h j bl /2012/ / i i f l f k h 19. Kwame Opoku – Benin Dialogue Group Removes ...https://www.toncremers.nl/kwame-opoku-benin-dialogue-group-removes-restituti

20. 'Not everything was looted': British Museum to fight critics | Culture ...https://www.theguardian.com/.../collected-histories-not-everythi m...

Dr Sushma Jansari, curator of the Asian ethnographic and South Asia collections at the British Museum, said “There are a lot of partial his focus on the colonial aspect of the collecting so you have a bunch of people who tend to be quite angry and upset,” she said.

“We’re trying to reset the balance a little bit. A lot of our collections are not from a colonial context; not everything here was acquired by E

It appears that the attempt to defend the British Museum against accusations of holding looted artefacts failed woefully in view of the publ museum has mainly looted artefacts. The attempts were met with ironic and mocking comments from the public. Most people have heard o looting of Benin artefacts, Asante gold, Ethiopian treasures at Maqdala and the looting of the Summer Palace in Beijing.

Museum spokeswoman Hannah Boulton told Al Jazeera : "It is absolutely not the case that everything in the museum's African collection w or whatever phrase you want to use.

“But obviously there are certain circumstances or certain events that happened, and certain examples like the Benin Bronzes, where that m come into the collection the same way today.” British Museum offers to loan stolen Benin Bronzes to Nigeria | Nigeria ...https://www.aljaz museum-offers-loan-stolen-benin-bronzes-nigeria.

One wonders why European museums attempt at all to defend themselves against such accusations when the stories of looting are clearly e history books and other sources.

Kwame Opoku: British Museum "Guards" Looted Syrian Object ... www.africavenir.org/.../kwame-opoku-british-museum-guards-looted-syrian-object.ht..

The British Museum collection totals at least 8 million objects. Roughly 80,000objects are on public display at the British Museum in Bloo This is 1% of the collection, however, the displays include many of the most important items. Fact sheet - British Museum https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/fact_sheet_bm_collection.pdf

However, The A-Z Companion to the Collections of the British Museum by Marjorie Caygill, published in 2017 by the British Museum Pre of the Museum’s collections of approximately twelve million objects are on display.’

The venerable museum does not often seem to be concerned about discrepancies in figures Thus we have still no precise figures about how the British Museum holds. We have seen figures from 300 to 900. Will the museum provide the public with exact figures so that we can jud Nigeria?

A guide to Africa's 'looted treasures' - BBC News - BBC.com https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-45406557

See also Ivan Lindsay, History of Loot and Stolen Art from Antiquity until Present Day, Unicorn Press, London, p.220.

The British Museum's 'Looting' Problem | The New Republic https://newrepublic.com/article/150642/british-museums-looting-problem

From looted lands to restless hands — Return Africa's stolen artifacts ... 22. Benin Dialogue Group Removes Restitution of Benin ... - Modern Ghana https://www.modernghana.com/.../benin-dialogue-group-removes-restitution-of-benin...

23. Folarin Shyllon, Repatriation of Antiquities to Sub-Saharan Africa: The Agony and the Ecstasy,’ in Art Antiquity and Law, Vol. XIX, I

In the journal cited above, at p. 143, Shyllon writes: ‘In an earlier article, the author has deplored the arrangement between Nigeria and F exchange for Frances’ recognition of Nigeria’s ownership of looted Nok sculptures, Nigeria agreed to loan the pieces to France for a renew it has now been reported that in 2005, the period was extended to 37 years. This is nothing short of turning it into a ‘permanent loan’ Thin their heads when we remember that permanent loans usually occur where States are have been forced to return or restitute stolen or illega objects to their countries of origin as happened in the cases of Zimbabwe Bird and Makonde Mask. A permanent loan is therefore used as a this instance it is being used as a sword instead of a shield’. See alsoBrexit may give new hope for Nigerian artefacts in British Museum www.elginism.com/british-museum/brexit-may-give-new-hope-nigerian.../8123/

24. Looted Benin bronzes to be lent back to Nigeria | The Art Newspaper https://www.theartnewspaper.com/.../looted-benin-bronzes-to-be-lent-back-to-nigeria

Lord Renfrew, whom most of us admire for his contributions to the fight against illicit traffic in artefacts, makes in his review of James Cun Antiquity? Museums and the Battle over our Ancient Heritage,a distinction between artefacts looted in the past and those looted in recent t

“But the issues in the two cases – modern, clandestine looting, versus colonial or imperial appropriation, mainly during the nineteenth cen world powers of the day – are not the same”.

Colin Renfrew on looted artefacts - Elginism www.elginism.com/similar-cases/colin-renfrew-on-looted-artefacts/20081205/1611

In an article in the Financial Times Lord Renfrew is quoted as saying

I’m much in favour of collecting, so long as it doesn’t involve objects recently taken from the ground. In my opinion all too many collection very reason. I don’t mind so much people buying antiquities looted a century ago, but not if the items in question entered the market post-1 on the illegal trade in antiquities was signed.”

What the noble lord is saying is that it is alright to acquire objects looted in 1868,1874, 1897, but not objects looted after 1970. He chose th CONVENTION (Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural dividing line between old time looting and modern looting. But was the date 1970 chosen really because of the Convention? The African S Independence in 1960. It so happens that most of the looted artefacts we still talk about had been looted long before 1970 and that date exc looted artefacts from its purview. The1970 Convention which is not retroactive has been interpreted by many Westerners as if it sanctioned to its entry into force. The Convention neither approves nor disapproves of past events. That is all. From this, some Westerners have develo looting and other wrongful acts done before the entry into force of the Convention are saved by the Convention and one is prohibited by th redress.The Convention does not prevent anyone from seeking redress for artefacts looted or stolen before 1970 on the basis f other laws. The Convention makes it explicitly clear that it does not affect actions that occurred before its entry into force. It that “Nothing in this Convention shall prevent States Parties thereto from concluding special agreements among themselves or from contin agreements already concluded regarding the restitution of cultural property removed, whatever the reason, from its territory of origin, befo this Convention for the States concerned.”

States are thus free to enter into bilateral agreements to effect restitution. They may also bring legal action on the basis of International Law 26. There are many accounts of the ultimate humiliation of African peoples but this account of Benin’s ultimate defeat in the humiliation o described by the Art historian Sylvester Okwunodu Ogbechie may stand for all: In February 1897, an elite British force of about 1200 men hundred African auxiliary troops and thousands of African porters) besieged , capital of the Edo , whose ruler sat on a throne that was a thousand years old. The British Punitive Expedition used Maxim machine guns to mow down most of the Oba’s 1 secure control of the capital city. They set fire to the city and looted the palace of 500 years’ worth of bronze objects that constituted the ro history, an irreplaceable national treasure. The king and his principal chiefs fled into the countryside, pursued by British forces that lay wa a strategy to force the people of Benin to give up their fugitive king. According to Richard Gott, for a further six months, a small British for countryside in search of the Oba and his chiefs who had fled. Cattle were seized and villages destroyed. Not until August was the Oba corn his ruined city. An immense throng was assembled to witness the ritual humiliation that the British imposed on their subject peoples. The O down in front of the British military “resident” the town and to literally bite the dust. Supported by two chiefs, the king made obeisance thr forehead on the ground three times. He was told that he had been deposed. Oba Ovonramwen finally surrendered to stem the slaughter of h soldiers considered his surrender an unbearable catastrophe and committed suicide rather than see the king humiliated. A significant numb maintained guerrilla warfare against the British for almost two years until their leaders were captured and executed. The remaining arms thereafter gave up their arms and merged back into the general population.” http://aachronym.blogspot.com See also Kwame Opoku - BE ACTION: WILL THIS MISERABLE ...https://www.toncremers.nl/kwame-opoku-benin-plan-of-action-will-this-miserable-do..

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Benin plaque, Nigeria, now in Musée du Quai Branly, Paris, to be restituted to Benin/Nigeria.

27. Holland Cotter,9 May 2019 in New York Times cited in Hyperallergic https://hyperallergic.com/500010/required-reading-424/

28 We are, of course, not suggesting that all Benin artefacts looted in 1897 must be returned as some mischievous persons have stated or im artefacts have been broken, sold by the looters or exchanged for other objects by European museums. We however believe that the present prepared to return a considerable number of the artefacts. There is no reason why the Ethnology Museum/Humboldt Forum should not be p the 580 Benin artefacts it holds, Museum at Rothenbaum, ,100 from its holdings of 200, Leiden Ethnological Museum,100 from i Museum, Vienna, 100 from the 169 Benin objects it holds; British Museum 150 of the 300 pieces or 300 of the 900 pieces it holds dependi museum coming out finally with the exact number of Benin artefacts it holds. We list below in Annex I some of the Benin artefacts an hone programme could entail in the first phase of the process. A definitive list of artefacts to be returned must be examined by Benin/Nigerian ar experts and not left solely to the discretion of the museums concerned. The transfer of objects would include transfer of rights, copyrights a privileges that the museums have derived from their claims to ownership.

ANNEX

BENIN ARTEFACTS TO BE RETURNED IN EARLY PHASE OF RESTITUTION.

British Museum, London, United Kingdom

Queen-mother Idia, ivory hip mask depicting queen mother Idia. Inv. no.1910.5-13.1

Pair of Leopards.

Oba and attendants.Inv.no. Af 1898.0115.38

Oba with leopards.Inv.Af 1898,115,31.

Ivory horn,musical instrument.. Inv.no. Af1959,14.2

Carved armlet .Inv. No. Af1910,0513.3

Drummer with slit drums.Inv.No.Af 1961.18.1.

Ceremonial Ada sword. Inv.No.1949Af46.166

Commemorative head of an Oba. Af.1897,12 17.2

Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Bristol, United Kingdom.

Commemorative head of an Oba, Inv.No.Ea7821

Horniman Museum,London

Drummer and hornblower

Warrior with sword and shield

Royal Albert Memorial Musaeum and Art Gallery, Exeter.

Commemorative head of an Oba,InvNo. 202/191.

National Museum of Scotland,Edinburgh A.1898.381

World Museum, Liverpool Ethnologisches Museum/Humboldt Forum, Berlin, .

Bust of Queen-mother, iyoba Idia. Inv. No. III C 12507

Altar group with Oba Akenzua I. Inv. No. III C 8164

Altar Group with Oba Ewuakpe. Inv. No. III C 8165

Commemorative head of an Oba. Inv. No. III C 8177

Female figure. Inv. No. III C 10864

Portuguese soldier.Inv. No. III C 20299

Plaque of Oba Esigie on horseback with attendants.III C 8056

Ethnologisches Museum, , Germany.

Commemorative head of a Queen-mother Iyoba. Inv. No. 16605

Commemorative head of a Queen-mother Iyoba.Inv.No.16134.

Queen-Mother Iyoba with a gong.Inv.No.13840 Container with two feet. Inv.No.16181.

Museum at Rothenbaum,Hamburg,Germany.

Commemorative head of an Oba.

.

Plaque of a battle scene. previously at Kunst und Gewerbe Museum, Hamburg, Inv.No.1899.75

Ubersee Museum,Bremen,Germany.

Commemorative head of a Queen-mother

Commemorative head of an Oba

Commemorative head of an Oba Inv.No.MAf 34582

Commemorative head of an Oba. Inv. No. MAf 27467

Commemorative head of an Oba Inv. No. MAf 02882

Commemorative head of Queen-mother, Inv.No.MAf 34553

. plaque of Oba with attendants. Inv .No.

16139

Portuguese Inv No. MAf 34542

Dignitary with attendants Inv. No.

MAf 34540

Portuguese with five manillas,Inv.No. MAf 34539

Commemorative head from Udo Inv.No. 26228

Warlord,Inv.No,MAf 34546

Altar with iyoba and attendants, Inv.No.MAf 34574

Ceremonial sword ada Inv.No.13632 Five Continents Museum,Munich

Commemorative head of an Oba.

Rautenstrauch Joest,

World Museum,Vienna,Austria

Court dwarfs, World Museum. Inv.no. 64.743, Inv.no.64.745.

Commemorative head of an Oba Inv.64.699.

Side blown horn. Inv.no 91.916.

Rooster, Inv. No 64.723

Wereldmuseum Netherlands

Statue of a court clerk, Volkenkunde Museum, Leiden.

Commemorative head of a chief, Volkenkunde Museum, Leiden. Inv.No.1286-1.

Etnografiska museet - Stockholm, Sweden

Commemorative head of an Oba, Inv. No. No. 1907.44.0383

Three Portuguese, Inv. No. 1907.44.0386 –

Rietberg Museum, Zurich, Switzerland

Commermorative head of an Oba,Inv.No.Inv. Nr. RAF 601

Relief plaque,soldier Inv. Nr. RAF 602 Oba and dignitaries,ivory pendant

Commemorative head of a Queen-mother

Warlord with ritual

Kwame Opoku, Dr., © 2019 This author has authored 251 publications on Modern Ghana.

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