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Mahesh

27/12/22 08:07 AM IST

Benin Bronzes

In News
  • Germany has returned 20 Benin Bronzes that were looted in the 19th century to Nigeria at a ceremony that was held in Abuja, the country’s capital recently.
Benin Bronzes
  • From intricately decorated cast plaques to animal and human figurines, the Benin Bronzes are a group of over 3,000 sculptures and artworks from the ancient Kingdom of Benin in present-day Nigeria, which dates back to at least the 16th century.
  • These historical pieces were looted by British colonial forces during their infamous raid on Benin City in 1897.
  • Several of these pieces had been specially commissioned for the kings or Obas, and Queen Mothers of the kingdom.
  • These artefacts provide insight into the culture of the Benin Kingdom as well as its relationships with neighbouring states.
  • Some of these pieces also point to the kingdom’s relationship with Europeans.
  • They were looted by British colonial forces during the infamous raid on Benin City in 1897.
  • These items will be displayed in a pavilion, which is being built in Benin City, next to the under-construction Edo Museum of West African Art — the ambitious project is being designed by the renowned British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye.
Other Looted Artefacts
  • The Koh-i-Noor diamond, one of the largest and perhaps the most storied diamonds in the world, which was taken away by the British East India Company in 1849 and is now part of the British crown jewels.
  • The other well-known example is the Rosetta Stone. Currently displayed at the British Museum, it is an ancient Egyptian stone that features the inscriptions that formed the basis of Egyptology itself.
  • The stone was discovered by the army of Napoleon Bonaparte near the town of Rashid (Rosetta) in 1799 during the emperor’s campaign to conquer Egypt.
  • It was passed on to the British after they defeated the French in 1801.
Source- Indian Express

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