Two artifacts from Benin that were stolen during the British invasion of the Kingdom of Benin in 1897 have been formally returned to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA). Nigeria House, the nation’s permanent mission to the UN and its consulate in New York City, hosted the handover event.
On behalf of His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, the traditional monarch of Benin, Ambassador Samson Itegboje, and His Royal Highness Prince Aghatise Erediauwa accepted the artifacts. In redressing injustices from the colonial era and returning cultural treasures to their proper location, the repatriation is an important step.
Dr. Arese Carrington, a member of the MFA Board of Advisors, was instrumental in facilitating the return, emphasizing the cultural and emotional significance of the artifacts, saying, “These artifacts are going back to their rightful place, where they carry meaning far beyond the material.” Among the returned pieces are a 16th–17th century terracotta and iron Commemorative Head and a 16th century bronze relief plaque depicting two officials with raised swords. Both pieces were taken during the British raid on Benin in 1897 and later sold on the international art market.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Benin community in New York, highlighting the significance of restitution efforts on a global scale. In addition to righting a historical injustice, the return of these items underscores the importance of cultural heritage in forming the Edo people of Nigeria’s identity and history.
The MFA’s ruling demonstrates a wider dedication to justice and reconciliation in the art world and is in line with an expanding global movement to repatriate stolen pieces of art. 
