With their wide eyes, intricate head coverings and elaborate armour, the Benin bronzes are among the most prized possessions of Berlin’s Ethnological Museum. After years of negotiations, Germany announced in April that it will begin returning the bronzes, looted during the colonial era, to what is now Nigeria from next year. 440 bronzesThe Benin bronzes, among the most highly regarded works of African art, are now scattered around European museums after being looted by the British at the end of the 19th century. READ ALSO: Germany confronts colonial past through return of ancient cross to NamibiaIn particular, Germany’s move raises the pressure on the British Museum, which has some 700 Benin bronzes. Historian Zimmerer, too, finds it “regrettable” that Germany is not going further to truly face up to the atrocities of the colonial period.

Source: The Local June 23, 2021 06:11 UTC