The Netherlands has announced that it will return 119 Benin Bronzes—stolen by British troops in 1897—to Nigeria, marking the largest-ever repatriation of these artifacts. These culturally significant sculptures, which ended up in Dutch museums like the Wereldmuseum as well as with private collectors, originate from the ancient Benin Kingdom in modern-day Edo state. Despite the name, not all of the artifacts are made from bronze. According to reports, they include figurines, tusks, and an ivory mask. Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) hopes this sets an example for other countries. For instance, the British Museum still possesses over 900 Benin Bronzes. However, an act of parliament bars it from repatriating them.
Source: BBC