Swiss Museum Returns Ownership of Looted Benin Artifacts to Nigeria
Museum Rietberg in Zurich has transferred ownership of 11 looted artifacts to Nigeria. The objects, known as Benin Bronzes, were taken during an 1897 British raid on the Kingdom of Benin. The transfer follows a claim by Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments. Two artifacts will be physically returned, while nine remain on loan in Switzerland. This action is part of broader restitution efforts for cultural heritage.
Key facts
- Museum Rietberg transferred ownership of 11 artifacts to Nigeria
- Artifacts were looted during an 1897 British raid on Benin Kingdom
- Objects include a bronze head from around 1850 and an ivory tusk
- Transfer follows a claim submitted two years ago by Nigerian authorities
- This follows Cambridge University's recent return of 116 Benin bronzes
Entities
Institutions
- Museum Rietberg
- National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM)
- Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
- Museum of West African Art (MOWAA)
- National Commission for Museums and Monuments
- Benin Initiative Switzerland
- Völkerkundemuseum der Universität Zürich
- Musée d'ethnographie de Genève
- University of Cambridge
Locations
- Zurich
- Switzerland
- Nigeria
- Benin City
- Edo state
- Benin
- Germany
- Netherlands