<
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/11/07/benin-bronzes-online-database-goes-live-with-details-of-thousands-of-looted-artefacts>
"A highly anticipated new online database listing works of art looted from the
Kingdom of Benin has launched, shining a light on more than 5,000 looted
objects housed at more than 100 museums worldwide. The timely new digital
catalogue Digital Benin, described as the first “comprehensive database of the
Benin bronzes” in a
Financial Times report, could accelerate the restitution
of the ancient African artefacts from institutions and collections worldwide.
The so-called Benin bronzes have become a touchstone to test European museums’
readiness to restitute heritage looted from Africa in the colonial era. After
the violent 1897 plunder and devastation of the Royal Palace of Benin by
British troops, at least 3,000 artefacts were dispersed internationally.
Digital Benin currently includes object data from 131 institutions across 20
countries that hold 5,246 historic Benin objects, which the website defines as
“objects looted by British forces from the Kingdom of Benin (now Edo State,
Nigeria) in February 1897 and distributed in its immediate aftermath”. Detailed
entries include a type-name in the Edo language, the English language title of
the work, provenance information and date provided directly by participating
museums such as caption text and size."
Via Esther Schindler.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
