London, Horniman Museum will return 72 objects to Nigeria, including 12 bronzes from Benin

An important nucleus of Benin bronzes will be returned to Nigeria from theHorniman Museum in London, where the works are stored. It consists of 12 sculptures that were looted in 1897 by British colonists during their occupation of the kingdom of Benin: these are joined by 60 other objects, including a rooster-shaped votive sculpture, ivory and brass ceremonial objects, brass bells, everyday objects such as fans and baskets, and a key to the royal palace in Benin City. In all, there are 72 objects that the museum will return to Nigeria-it has been determined that the British forcibly removed them from Benin City during a military raid in February 1897. Ownership will be transferred to the Nigerian government, following a decision by the board of the Horniman Museum, which is one of Britain’s leading museums for anthropology and natural history.

The Horniman Museum received the request for return from the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in January 2022, and has since undertaken detailed research on its objects from Benin to determine which ones might be the ones to be returned. The institute therefore consulted members of the scientific community, scholars, academics, heritage professionals, and even visitors and artists based in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.The goal, in fact, was not only to study the objects and their provenance, but also to canvass all opinions on the future of the objects from Benin.

Eve Salomon, chair of the museum’s Board of Trustees, says, “The evidence that these objects were forcibly acquired is very clear, and outside advice supported our view that it is moral and appropriate to return their ownership to Nigeria. The Horniman is pleased to be able to take this step, and we look forward to working with the NCMM to ensure long-term care for these valuable artifacts.” The Board’s decision was approved by the museum’s Charity Commission on August 5. Now, the museum will discuss with the NCMM how to formally transfer ownership and the possibility of retaining some of the objects on loan in order to display them, study them, and continue to educate English visitors.

Professor Abba Tijani, director general of the NCMM, says, “We very much welcome this decision by the trustees of the Horniman Museum and Gardens. After approval by the Charity Commission, we look forward to a productive discussion on loan agreements and collaborations between the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the Horniman.”

The Horniman Museum was opened in 1901 following a donation for the benefit of the public by tea merchant and philanthropist Frederick John Horniman to “bring the world to Forest Hill,” the London neighborhood where the institution is based. Today the Horniman has a collection of 350,000 objects and artifacts from around the world. Its galleries include natural history, music and a well-known aquarium, along with a world anthropology gallery and an art and exhibition space, The Studio. Indoor spaces connect to gardens (from medicinal gardens to an interactive sound garden, from a butterfly house to an animal walk), set in 16 acres of green space. The Horniman Museum also won Art Fund Museum of the Year 2022.

Pictured is one of the bronzes that will be returned to Nigeria.

London, Horniman Museum will return 72 objects to Nigeria, including 12 bronzes from Benin

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