Looted Benin Bronzes are returning to West Africa. But will they go on display?

22/10/2025 24 min
Looted Benin Bronzes are returning to West Africa. But will they go on display?

Listen "Looted Benin Bronzes are returning to West Africa. But will they go on display?"

Episode Synopsis


The new Museum of West African Art will open in Benin City, Nigeria next month. It was hoped that the new galleries would display the world's most comprehensive collection of Benin bronzes - precious fourteenth Century artefacts looted by the British in the late 19th Century. Bronzes are gradually being repatriated from collections around the world - but not into the collection of the new museum. Guest: Philip Oltermann, The Guardian's European Culture EditorProducer: Jack Schmidt