The Museum Rietberg in Zurich is transferring ownership of 11 Benin Bronzes to the Republic of Nigeria. The transfer includes a significant commemorative bronze head from around 1850 and an 18th-century ivory tusk, both looted during the British raid on Benin City in 1897, which will be physically returned to Nigeria this summer.
This restitution is a result of the Benin Initiative Switzerland, launched in 2021 to investigate the provenance of Benin objects in Swiss collections. While ownership of all 11 objects changes, nine will remain in Zurich on permanent loan, reflecting Nigeria's desire for the history and artistry of Benin to continue being shared internationally, marking a significant step in the ongoing global restitution movement.