THE Washington-based Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art and the National Gallery of Art are set to transfer ownership of 29 Benin bronzes to Nigeria.
The event is slated for Tuesday, October 11 at 9 a.m.
A statement by the organisers said: “The Benin bronzes were looted during the 1897 British raid on Benin City in Nigeria. They are being returned to Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments.
“Under the Smithsonian’s new policy, artifacts that were stolen, taken under duress or obtained in an unethical manner will be returned to their appropriate community or individual.”
There will be brief remarks by Lonnie G. Bunch III, Smithsonian Secretary, Ngaire Blankenberg, Director, National Museum of African Art,
Kaywin Feldman, Director of the National Gallery of Art and Abba Tijani, Director General of the Commission.
For two weeks from Tuesday, September, 27 through Tuesday, October 11, “media and visitors to the National Museum of African Art will have an opportunity to appreciate the beauty and creativity of 13 Benin bronzes, which were part of the museum’s Benin Royal Art collection before they are deaccessioned and returned to Nigeria”.
They are being displayed under the “Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa’s Arts” exhibition on the third level.
