London’s Horniman Museum is returning to Nigeria dozens of art treasures looted from the British army. Including twelve precious Benin bronzes.
Ownership of 72 objects forcibly taken from Benin City during the British military invasion in February 1897 will be transferred to the Nigerian government,” the museum said yesterday. “The collection includes twelve brass plates known to the public as the Benin Bronzes. “
Since the 16th century, famous Benin bronzes have adorned the palace in the Kingdom of Benin in present-day Nigeria. After the British invasion in 1897, the artworks were stolen and displayed as looted art in museums in Europe and the US.
building a museum
The Nigerian government has been demanding the return of stolen art treasures for years. She wants to build a museum in the city of Benin, in the southern state of Edo, to exhibit Benin bronzes.