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 Repatriating Benin Bronzes?

Melanie Mitchell's profile image
Melanie Mitchell posted 02-06-2024 11:20 AM

Hello All, 

Posting for a friend:

I'm Paul Nielsen and I'm looking for some help in repatriating two Benin bronzes. I bought them about two years ago here in Durham, NC, to get them off the market, but I haven't been able to arrange their return.

I'm neither a student nor a scholar of African art. I'm a retired newspaper copy editor who has taken a passing interest in art news in recent years. I'm just a guy who needs some help to get this done.

I tried to interest a local museum, but that didn't work. My congressman's office got me a number at the Nigerian embassy, but nothing came of that. I've emailed the embassy at the address on its home page a couple times, but haven't had a response. A retired curator at another local museum suggested I look through the Digital Benin website to authenticate the two I have, and I've worked through about half of them. So far, no matches. Any suggestions for my next step? To help or chat, it's best to contact me by email: paulnielsen62@earthlink.net. Thanks.

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Jean-Luc Vincent's profile image
Jean-Luc Vincent posted 02-07-2024 09:42 AM

Hi,

I am no expert on this subject but I have been following this story for some time.  Have you tried contacting the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) of the Federal Government of Nigeria?

https://museum.ng/about-us/

They might be able to help you.

Good luck...

Michelle Conliffe's profile image
Michelle Conliffe posted 02-08-2024 09:11 AM

Next week the Federal Bar Association is hosting an Art & Fashion Law Conference in New York.  The keynote presentation is a legal perspective on the the demand that public institutions return culturally-significant objects to countries of origin - specifically the Parthenon Marbles, Benin Bronzes, and Cambodian works.  The speakers are scheduled to be Amanda Gray, Esq. of Mishcon de Reya LLP and Jeff Kinkle, Esq. of Dunnington, Bartholow & Miller, LLP.  These attorneys may have some advice on next steps! 

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