5 May 2021

Should Canterbury Museum return Benin artefacts?

From Morning Report, 8:51 am on 5 May 2021

Germany has agreed to return priceless stolen artefacts to Africa and now Canterbury Museum is facing pressure to do the same.

At the turn of the 19th century, British soldiers looted scultpures known as Benin Bronzes from the Kingdom of Benin, which is now Nigeria.

Canterbury Museum has the biggest collection of Benin art in Australasia, including ivory and bronze figurines, bracelets, amulets and three bronze heads.

Most were purchased at auction, but at least one was traded for moa bones.

Museum head of collections and research Sarah Murray spoke to Susie Ferguson.