Plundered Pasts: The Benin Bronzes
By Milan Perera, Third Year English
On the 25th of August this year, Hartwig Fischer was forced to resign from his post as the Director of the British Museum over an alleged mishandling of stolen artefacts. Even after art dealers and experts pointed out exposed thea plethora of missing artefacts from the museum catalogue at the national institution, the improper cataloguing of the artefacts means that we will never be able to recover them. It is transpired that many of these stolen artefacts will never be recovered as they weren’t even catalogued properly. This approach miscataloguing to invaluable articlesof artefacts flies in the face of those who vehemently hold the position that those cultural artefacts are preserved for posterity under due careare in better care in the hands of the British Museum than the countries of origin which are supposedly beleaguered with domestic strifes.
The Age of Exploration, spanning from the 15th to the 17th centuryies, marked a period of unprecedented global expansion as European powers sought to assert dominance over new territories. While this era is often celebrated for the cultural exchanges it facilitated, it is also marked by a darker legacy—the widespread theft and plunder of treasures from colonised lands. Museums today stand as repositories of these ill-gotten gains, serving as a contemporary reminder of the complex and controversial contested history of colonialism.
Since the fall of Constantinople in 1453, European powers have embarked on ambitious explorations in search of wealth, resources, and strategic advantages. As these explorers ventured into uncharted territories, they encountered diverse cultures with rich artistic, historical, and archaeologicalcultural heritage. The allure of exotic artefacts, precious metals, and cultural relics fuelled a desire to acquire and bring these treasures back to Europe.
Colonial powers, driven by the ideology of imperialism, viewed the territories they encountered as extensions of their empires. The subjugation of indigenous peoples went hand in hand with the looting of their cultural heritage. Museums became trophyies roomss, showcasing the might and supposed superiority of the colonisers while erasing the cultural identity of the colonised.
Notable examples of stolen treasures from the Age of Exploration include the infamous looting of the Benin Bronzes by British forces in 1897. These intricately crafted brass sculptures adorned the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin, and their theft marked a severe blow to the cultural heritage of the region.
‘Benin Bronze’ plaque showing the king (Oba) in regalia and with symbols of royal power (c.16th–17th century).
David Olusoga, inIn his book, Cult of Progress, vividly by the Bristol-based historian,details David Olusoga the extraordinary heist of Benin bronzes is vividly described. Before delving into the tragic events of 1897, it's crucial to appreciate the rich history of the Kingdom of Benin. Flourishing in what is now southern Nigeria, the Benin Empire was a highly organised and sophisticated society. Its capital, Edo, was adorned with magnificent palaces and walls, and the kingdom was renowned for its skilled craftsmanship, particularly in the creation of the exquisite Benin Bronzes.
In 1897, the British launched a punitive expedition against the Benin Kingdom. Ostensibly carried out in response to a diplomatic incident, the true motives lay in the desire to seize the wealth and treasures that adorned the kingdom. The invasion resulted in the sacking of Benin City, the destruction of its palaces, and the plundering of the legendary Benin Bronzes. And Culminating with the British exiling of their king, Oba Ovonramwen in chains, with him never to be returnedable to return to his kingdom.
Many of these stolen treasures, including the Benin bronzes Bronzes found their way into the collections of European museums, where they remain to this day. The British Museum, the Louvre, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, among others, house artefacts with contested origins. Calls for repatriation have grown louder in recent years, as nations seek to reclaim their stolen heritage and address the ongoing impact of colonialism.
The issue of stolen treasures has sparked debates on cultural restitution and ethical museum practices. Some argue that repatriation is essential for healing historical wounds and restoring justice, while others contend that these artefacts now belong to humanity and should be preserved in institutions that can care for them properly.
Recently, Ethiopia received the return of cultural treasures that were looted during the Meqdala War of 1868. The set of artefacts, including the Holy Tabot tablet of 'Medhane'Alem’,' a lock of Prince Alemayehu's hair, the son of Emperor Tewodros II were were returned to the Ethiopian Embassy in London by the British. The Holy Tablet is revered in Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Ambassador underlined the importance of the returned artefacts to the Orthodox Church. From the Benin Bronzes to the Rosetta Stone, the artefacts serve as reminders of rich history and heritage housed in art galleries and museums of former colonial superpowers. Efforts are ongoing to return many of the items to their countries of origin.
The history of stolen treasures in the Age of Exploration is a poignant chapter in the larger narrative of colonialism. Museums, once complicit in the looting, now grapple with the ethical implications of holding onto these ill-gotten gains. As societies reckon with their past, the ongoing conversations surrounding repatriation serves as a reminder that the legacy of colonial plunder continues to shape our understanding of history and the responsibilities of custodians of cultural heritage in the modern day..