Status: 14.10.2021 7:50 p.m.
They once stood in the palace of the Kingdom of Benin. At the end of the 19th century, the British stole the valuable bronzes and sold them to German collectors and museums. Germany now wants to return the art treasures.
Germany wants to transfer ownership of the Benin bronzes, which are considered looted goods from the colonial era, to the Nigerian negotiating partners. In a declaration of intent, the key points for this were signed by representatives of both sides in the Nigerian capital Abuja, as confirmed by the Federal Foreign Office. The next step is therefore a framework agreement,
1100 Benin bronzes in German museums
The ornate Benin bronzes are currently at the center of heated debates about returns. Most of the objects come from the British looting in 1897. They are works of art from the palace of what was then the Kingdom of Benin.
Around 1100 bronzes can be found in numerous German museums, and they are also to be shown in the Berlin Humboldt Forum. The most important holdings can be found in the Linden-Museum (Stuttgart), the Museum am Rothenbaum (Hamburg), the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum (Cologne), the Ethnographic Museums in Dresden / Leipzig and the Ethnological Museum in Berlin.
“A large field of cooperation”
The declaration of intent was signed by the German delegation and Nigerian representatives in Abuja on Wednesday, said the West African country’s information and culture minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. “The German government and the German people have taken a courageous step by declaring their willingness to return the artifacts voluntarily and without great coercion on the part of Nigeria,” said the minister.
Andreas Görgen, head of the department responsible for cultural policy, led the talks for the Foreign Office. “We wanted to prepare the way for a new federal government,” said Görgen. “We agree that the process leading to returns should begin in the second quarter of next year with the transfer of ownership of the objects.”
Return visit in December
In addition, there was agreement with all Nigerian sites that objects would continue to be shown in Germany. “That was also a Nigerian wish.” The collaboration should also relate to archeology, engagement in the cultural infrastructure and training of museum managers.
Hermann Parzinger, President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, to which the Ethnological Museum Berlin also belongs, said there was “quite a dynamic” in the talks. “We are expecting a return visit in December, this is very dense and is becoming more and more specific.” A cooperation that encompasses many aspects is planned. At the same time, because of the complicated conditions in Germany, it is clear: “The respective museums and their sponsors, states or municipalities, of course, decide for themselves about their collections.”
Benin bronzes continue to be in German museums
Initially, efforts will be concentrated on the five German museums with larger holdings of Benin bronzes and their owners. “We want to begin with the transfer of ownership in the course of next year,” said Parzinger. But it’s not just about returning, but also about partnership and exchange.
Parzinger also sees prospects for other negotiations: “This could become a model for dealing with looted colonial art, in which forward-looking ways can be developed on the basis of a difficult past.”