The Netherlands has committed to returning 113 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, a significant move in addressing the legacy of colonial looting. These artifacts, part of the Dutch State Collection, were originally plundered by British forces in 1897 during a punitive expedition to the Kingdom of Benin.
This repatriation marks the largest single return of Benin antiquities directly tied to that historical event, and sets an important precedent for the return of other looted cultural treasures. The return represents a step toward acknowledging and rectifying past injustices.
Source: ARTnews