Dutch museum returns Benin Bronzes looted from Nigeria during colonial era
Leiden’s Wereldmuseum begins return of 113 Benin Bronzes as pressure grows on Western institutions to repatriate looted art.
 |
| Employees open a glass case displaying some of the 113 Benin Bronzes being returned to Nigeria, looted by British troops in the late 19th century, during a handover ceremony at the Wereldmuseum in Leiden on February 19, 2025. Photo by Freek van den Bergh/ANP/AFP |
By Novanka Laras and Hayu Andini
In a solemn, symbolic act, a Dutch museum worker clad in blue surgical gloves carefully removed a centuries-old Benin Bronze from its display case. The priceless artefact, looted during a violent British expedition to the Kingdom of Benin in 1897, was placed on a soft pillow, delicately wrapped in protective layers of special paper, and prepared for its journey back to its homeland—Nigeria.
This scene unfolded at the Wereldmuseum (World Museum) in the Dutch city of Leiden, where officials are overseeing the return of 113 Benin Bronzes. These sculptures, among the most renowned examples of African art, were forcefully taken by British troops during the colonial era. Now, they are being returned in what is seen as a pivotal moment in the global restitution of cultural heritage.
The move comes as growing international pressure urges museums and governments across the West to acknowledge the legacy of colonialism and return looted treasures to their countries of origin. Benin Bronzes looted from Nigeria encapsulates a historical injustice that institutions are now beginning to redress.
‘They were violently taken, so they need to go back’
Speaking to AFP, museum director Marieke van Bommel described the return as not just a gesture of goodwill, but a moral necessity.
“These don’t belong here. They were violently taken, so they need to go back,” said Van Bommel, underscoring the museum's commitment to addressing its colonial past. “This is a typical example of looted art.”
The history of the Benin Bronzes is rooted in a brutal episode from 1897, when British soldiers invaded the then-independent Kingdom of Benin—now part of southern Nigeria—after nine British officers were killed during a trade mission. In retaliation, the British launched a punitive military expedition that resulted in the deaths of thousands of locals and the complete destruction of Benin’s capital.
As part of this invasion, British forces looted the royal palace, seizing hundreds of intricately crafted metal plaques and sculptures that came to be known as the Benin Bronzes. Many of these artefacts were later sold to finance the expedition or auctioned to museums and private collectors across Europe and North America.
A slow road to justice
The return of the Benin Bronzes looted from Nigeria has been a protracted process. Although more than a century has passed since their removal, the Nigerian government has faced resistance and legal hurdles in its quest for restitution.
The Netherlands has now committed to returning 119 bronzes in total—113 from the Wereldmuseum in Leiden and six more from a museum in Rotterdam. Germany has also started returning its share of looted Benin artefacts, marking a broader European shift toward restitution.
However, not all institutions are following suit. The British Museum in London, which holds one of the world’s largest collections of Benin Bronzes, has refused to return any pieces. British law, specifically the British Museum Act of 1963, prohibits the museum from permanently relinquishing items in its collection.
An international example for restitution
Museum director Van Bommel expressed hope that the Netherlands’ actions would set a precedent for other nations.
“I think we all agree that this collection doesn’t belong in European museums. We do hope that other countries will follow this example,” she said.
Despite their immense historical and artistic value, the museum has never placed a monetary figure on the collection. “It’s a cultural value, so we never put a price on it,” Van Bommel explained.
In recent years, the Wereldmuseum has also returned artefacts to Indonesia, another former Dutch colony, as well as to Mexico and to Indigenous communities in the United States. The museum is now recognized as a leader in the ethical repatriation of cultural property.
Sharing the story with future generations
While the Benin Bronzes will be shipped to Lagos in mid-June, the Wereldmuseum will retain four of the pieces on long-term loan from Nigeria. These will serve not as colonial trophies, but as educational tools within a broader narrative about colonialism, cultural theft, and the evolving responsibilities of museums.
“We want to talk about the expedition, but also about the whole subject of restitution,” Van Bommel said, stressing the museum’s intention to confront history rather than erase it.
To fill the empty space left by the departing bronzes, the museum will launch an exhibition of contemporary art, emphasizing the vibrancy and innovation of present-day artists from the Global South.
Nigeria’s plans for the future
Nigeria, under the leadership of former president Muhammadu Buhari, declared in 2023 that the returned Benin Bronzes would be handed to the Oba—the traditional ruler of the Benin Kingdom—rather than retained by the central government. This decision reflects a growing recognition of the authority of traditional institutions in managing cultural heritage.
There are also plans to build a new museum in Benin City, located in Edo State, southern Nigeria. This facility is expected to serve as a permanent home for the returned bronzes and a cultural center that celebrates the legacy of the Benin Kingdom.
The return of these artefacts marks a significant victory for Nigeria’s decades-long campaign to reclaim its stolen heritage. But it is also a broader victory for ethical museum practices and the global movement to rectify historical wrongs.
A new chapter for cultural institutions
As the Benin Bronzes looted from Nigeria begin their return journey, the act serves as a powerful symbol of changing times. For institutions like the Wereldmuseum, this is more than just an art shipment—it’s a recalibration of values, a reckoning with history, and a step toward justice.
The world will be watching to see if other museums follow this example, turning symbolic gestures into systemic change, and ensuring that cultural treasures are preserved and honored where they truly belong.
The story of the Benin Bronzes is no longer just about the past. It is a conversation about the future—one in which restitution, respect, and recognition shape a more equitable world for cultural heritage.
More from Arts coverage
- Van Gogh Roulin family portraits explore timeless bonds at MFA Boston
- New Van Gogh painting discovery sparks debate
- Will Wright reflects on The Sims and its 25-year impact
