Two 16th-Century brass plaques from the Court of Benin and a Brass Head from Ife produced in the 14th Century are set to return to Nigeria after collaborative research with the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the Metropolitan Museum of Arts.
The Benin Brass Plaques were a part of the sculpts removed from the Royal Palace on 1897 during the British raid of Benin. The plaques which were returned by a British Museum in 1951 to the National Museum were mysteriously found on the international art scene and eventually acquired by a New York Collector.
The Met is looking to foster a healthy relationship between Nigeria and itself and Hope’s to become a collaborative partner in the establishment of the Edo Museum of West African Art in Benin City.