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Image: Florian Gaertner/photothek/IMAGOImage: Florian Gaertner/photothek/IMAGO

Benin Bronzes

A large group of sculptures from the former Kingdom of Benin (modern-day Nigeria) that were stolen from British colonialists in 1897. They are at the center of a restitution process throughout Europe.

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All Content on this topic

DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

New home, new identity, new life

Climate refugees in Bangladesh, repatriation of Benin bronzes to Nigeria, turtle rescue in the USA.

YT Plan KW 29 | Raubkunst

YT Plan KW 29 | Raubkunst

Looted art: Restitution in the crosshairs of world politics

Colonial looted artworks are finally being returned to their countries of origin.

David Adjaye: Man speaking into microphone.

David Adjaye: Man speaking into microphone.

David Adjaye: Star architect accused of sexual misconduct

The British-Ghanaian architect was set to design a UK Holocaust memorial and a home for the Benin Bronzes in Nigeria.

Claudia Roth, Annalen Baerbock, Geoffrey Onyeama and Lai Momammed, who are all wearing white gloves, stand together and smile while a Benine Bronze is held up to the camera.

Claudia Roth, Annalen Baerbock, Geoffrey Onyeama and Lai Momammed, who are all wearing white gloves, stand together and smile while a Benine Bronze is held up to the camera.

The unending controversy over the looted Benin Bronzes

The restitution of Benin bronzes from Germany to Nigeria sparked a fiery debate. DW explains the differing perspectives.

BRICS Treffen in Brasilien/Vladimir Putin und Cyril Ramaphosa

BRICS Treffen in Brasilien/Vladimir Putin und Cyril Ramaphosa

AfricaLink on Air - 23 May 2023

Germany concerned over Nigeria's decision to handover bronze statues to Oba of Benin

A Benin Bronze, anicent African mask.

A Benin Bronze, anicent African mask.

Critics fear Benin Bronzes could be privatized by royal heir

As Nigeria's President gives the artworks Oba Ewuare II, Germany stands by the decision to restitute the sculptures.

Südafrika Ngodwana | Coronavirus und Prostitution

Südafrika Ngodwana | Coronavirus und Prostitution

AfricaLink on Air — 06 April 2023

Benin Bronzes made of German brass+++ Sex work in Kenya+++Violence against women in South Africa+++Easter time in Africa

Blue gloves handling Benin Bronze

Blue gloves handling Benin Bronze

Benin Bronzes made of German brass

Many of the famous Benin Bronzes pillaged in 1897 are made from German brass manillas, new research shows.

A sculpture of a face in bronze from Benin.

A sculpture of a face in bronze from Benin.

Pressure on London to restitute artworks grows

The British Museum is not ready to return stolen cultural property from the colonial era, but pressure is mounting.

Nigeria | Rückgabe der Benin-Bronzen in Abuja

Nigeria | Rückgabe der Benin-Bronzen in Abuja

AfricaLink on Air - 20 December 2022

Germany hands over 20 looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria+++Kwan Pa Ghanaian Palm Wine Music band thrills fans

A Benin Bronze in a glass case

A Benin Bronze in a glass case

Germany returns looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

At a "historic" repatriation ceremony in Abuja, German officials returned 20 stolen Benin Bronzes to their homeland.

Südafrika | ANC Präsident Cyril Ramaphosa

Südafrika | ANC Präsident Cyril Ramaphosa

AfricaLink on Air — 19 December 2022

President Ramaphosa re-elected as ANC party leader+++ Germany's Annalena Baerbock in Nigeria+++Messi wins World Cup.

Two men, Nigerian Ambassador to Germany Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (l) and Director General Abba Isa Tijani (r) of Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments, pose and smile with Rautenstrauch Joest Museum Director Nanette Snoep (c) at a restitution ceremony in Cologne, Germany.

Two men, Nigerian Ambassador to Germany Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (l) and Director General Abba Isa Tijani (r) of Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments, pose and smile with Rautenstrauch Joest Museum Director Nanette Snoep (c) at a restitution ceremony in Cologne, Germany.

Benin Bronzes: From German museums off to Nigeria

Restitution from Germany begins: Artifacts that once belonged to the kingdom of Benin, will be on their way to Nigeria.

One of the Benin Bronze sculptures that was being held in Cologne

One of the Benin Bronze sculptures that was being held in Cologne

Cologne hands over stolen Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

Another major German city has begun giving back artwork stolen by British colonialists in the 19th century.

An ancient African bust, with similar artworks in the background that are out of focus.

An ancient African bust, with similar artworks in the background that are out of focus.

'Digital Benin' lists looted colonial artifacts

The new digital platform catalogs objects that were stolen from the Kingdom of Benin during the colonial era.

Famous Benin bronzes are among the items on display as the east wing of the Humboldt Forum opens.

Famous Benin bronzes are among the items on display as the east wing of the Humboldt Forum opens.

Germany: Humboldt Forum opens all doors

Famous Benin bronzes are among the items on display as the east wing of the Humboldt Forum opens.

Benin Bronzes displayed in Berlin's Humboldtforum museum

Benin Bronzes displayed in Berlin's Humboldtforum museum

Benin Bronzes go on display in Berlin

The artifacts were looted during the colonial era, but Germany agreed to return the ones in their possession to Nigeria.

DW Thumbnail African Roots Podcast l Composite Bild Oba Ewuare, Sedar Senghor

DW Thumbnail African Roots Podcast l Composite Bild Oba Ewuare, Sedar Senghor

Culture in Chief: Oba Ewuare and Leopold Sedar Senghor

President Leopold Senghor saw France as key to his Senegal's culture. Oba Ewuare's Benin Bronzes still stir controversy.

Benin Bronzes from Nigeria

Benin Bronzes from Nigeria

Germany returns ownership of bronzes to Nigeria

The Benin Bronzes were looted by British soldiers in the 1800s and sold all over Europe.

A Benin plaque depicting a war chief and a royal military priest carrying a leather gift box from the Horniman Museum

A Benin plaque depicting a war chief and a royal military priest carrying a leather gift box from the Horniman Museum

UK museum to return Benin Bronzes

The London museum said it was clear the objects had been "acquired through force" during the colonial era.

Lefem figure held at Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum in Cologne, Germany, on July 9, 2022

Lefem figure held at Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum in Cologne, Germany, on July 9, 2022

German bureaucracy slows artifacts' return

Cologne's Rautenstrauch Joest Museum wants to return looted artifacts, if Germany's restitution process lets it do so.

Benin Bronze artifact

Benin Bronze artifact

Africa celebrates the return of Benin Bronzes

Many are excited about Germany’s decision to return more than 1,000 Benin Bronzes, but insist compensation must be paid.

an animal figure sculpted in ivory.

an animal figure sculpted in ivory.

Germany returns Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

A groundbreaking step in looted art history: Germany transfers the ownership of 1,130 bronzes to Nigeria.

Geraubte Kulturgüter aus der Kolonialzeit

Geraubte Kulturgüter aus der Kolonialzeit

The Benin Bronzes are coming home!

After years of discussion and agitation, Germany has agreed to return looted African colonial artefacts.

Deutschland | Ausstellung "I miss you" im Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum in Köln

Deutschland | Ausstellung "I miss you" im Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum in Köln

AfricaLink on Air - 01 July 2022

Germany agrees to repatriate stolen Benin bronzes to Nigeria+++Rwanda’s muted 60th Independence Day

statute of the goddess Ngonnso

statute of the goddess Ngonnso

Germany to return looted artifacts to Africa

Germany and Nigeria have agreed to transfer looted colonial artifacts, with over 1,000 Benin Bronzes to be repatriated.

A mural sculpture depicting a person in ancient uniform holding a sword.

A mural sculpture depicting a person in ancient uniform holding a sword.

Last show of Benin Bronzes before their return

Before the Benin Bronzes are restituted to Nigeria, the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum is showing the looted artworks.

People stand in front of Klimt's golden portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer.

People stand in front of Klimt's golden portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer.

New project tells Jewish art collectors' stories

The topic of Nazi-looted art is a political issue, yet we rarely hear the stories of the people who owned the art works.

People admiring the Benin bronze cockerel, known as the Okukur

People admiring the Benin bronze cockerel, known as the Okukur

Colonial-era looted art returned to Nigeria and Benin

Two Benin bronzes are back home in Nigeria, but the campaign to return colonial-era art to Africa is only starting.

Annabelle Steffes-Halmer

Annabelle Steffes-Halmer

Looted art restitution is only the start

Annabelle Steffes-Halmer

Despite the return of looted art to Africa, colonialist thinking in Europe is far from being eliminated.

Catlike metal artowrk

Catlike metal artowrk

The reality of looted colonial art and restitution

The German Lost Art Foundation is hosting a conference on looted art and the restitution of colonial objects.

Exhibition item at a museum in Cologne

Exhibition item at a museum in Cologne

Benin bronzes to head home from Germany

A resolution is imminent in the dispute over more than 1,000 bronzes stolen from the former Kingdom of Benin in Nigeria.

Benin Bronzes, a display of artifacts

Benin Bronzes, a display of artifacts

Germany to begin returning Benin Bronzes in 2022

The different levels of government have agreed to return Benin bronzes to Nigeria.

Two people stand next to a huge ancient sailing ship at the Humboldt Forum museum.

Two people stand next to a huge ancient sailing ship at the Humboldt Forum museum.

Humboldt Forum tackles colonial issue

Berlin's Humboldt Forum has reacted to criticism surrounding its handling of colonial history. Will critics approve?

DW Arts.21 (Sendungslogo Kultur.21 englisch)

DW Arts.21 (Sendungslogo Kultur.21 englisch)

Colonial legacy: Where do Africa's treasures belong?

Between the looted art debate and provenance research: Behind the scenes at Berlin’s Humboldt Forum.

People sitting at cafe tables with umbrellas in the inner courtyard of the Humboldt Forum.

People sitting at cafe tables with umbrellas in the inner courtyard of the Humboldt Forum.

Berlin's controversial Humboldt Forum opens

Berlin's new Humboldt Forum may be open, but it's still mired in debate about colonialism and museum collections.

Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz l Nigerianische Delegation besucht Berlin

Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz l Nigerianische Delegation besucht Berlin

Benin bronzes: Nigerian delegation in Berlin

As Nigeria is open to a gradual return of the artifacts, the Benin bronzes could be shown in Berlin's Humboldt Forum.

Bildergalerie Resist-Ausstellung in Köln

Bildergalerie Resist-Ausstellung in Köln

The 77 Percent - Why Africa's stolen art must return

The 77 Percent looks at why young people want stolen art returned to Africa

A photo of Tipu's wooden tiger shows a wooden tiger with a handle to wind it up pouncing on a wooden man who has fallen on his back

A photo of Tipu's wooden tiger shows a wooden tiger with a handle to wind it up pouncing on a wooden man who has fallen on his back

Returning India's colonial treasures

The Benin Bronzes are going back to Nigeria, but the restitution of India's colonial artifacts is a long way away.

A cartoon showing a man using a dollar-shaped magnet to attract international works of art

A cartoon showing a man using a dollar-shaped magnet to attract international works of art

Looted art, from antiquity to present-day

There's a long history of stealing assets from other cultures. A new publication illustrates various cases.

A wooden boat with sails

A wooden boat with sails

'Looted' boat to be shown at Berlin's Humboldt Forum

A new book reveals how a boat taken from the South Pacific ended up in Germany. Will it spark a new restitution debate?

African Roots | Oba Ewuare 6

African Roots | Oba Ewuare 6

Oba Ewuare: Promotor of Benin arts

Benin’s Oba Ewuare is credited with promoting arts, culture and bronze figures that have stood the test of time.

To The Point I 06.05.2021 I Totale

To The Point I 06.05.2021 I Totale

Africa's stolen treasures: Time to give them back?

The return of the Benin Bronzes: A turning point in Germany's approach to its colonial past?

Benin Bronzes on display at a museum in Leipzig

Benin Bronzes on display at a museum in Leipzig

Germany to return looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in 2022

The ancient artworks were plundered in the 19th century and are currently on display in German museums.

Bildergalerie Resist-Ausstellung in Köln

Bildergalerie Resist-Ausstellung in Köln

Debate over Benin bronzes

Will the Benin Bronzes be showcased in Berlin's Humboldt Forum or will they be returned to Nigeria?

Two sculptures of large humans flanked by two smaller people each from the Benin bronzes collection

Two sculptures of large humans flanked by two smaller people each from the Benin bronzes collection

Benin's bronzes and the pitfalls of restitution

The Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation will oversee the return of the statues to Nigeria, but it's complicated.

A Benin bronze art object, head in an exhibition context

A Benin bronze art object, head in an exhibition context

New debate about Benin Bronzes in Germany

The debate about looted colonial art in German museums has gained new momentum. Even the foreign minister has chimed in.

Dr. Harrison Mwilima

Dr. Harrison Mwilima

Opinion: Africa must unite to demand stolen art's return

Harrison Mwilima

Africans must work together to push for the restitution of art looted during the colonial era, says Harrison Mwilima.

Geraubte Kulturgüter aus der Kolonialzeit

Geraubte Kulturgüter aus der Kolonialzeit

AfricaLink on Air — 17 December 2020

Restitution of African art+++Liberia's ostracized teen rape survivor

Stolen Soul — Africa's Looted Art

Africa's colonial overlords brutally stripped it of countless cultural treasures.