France Returns Benin Art Treasures Stolen in 1892

Twenty-six works of tribal art originally from what is now the Republic of Benin, in Africa, that were stolen by the French army in 1892, went back to Benin this week. Owned by the French State and displayed at the superb Musée du quai Branly–Jacques Chirac in Paris, the objects, some full-length wooden figures, were swiped from the king’s palace. Then and today, they’re considered heritage-defining treasures like the Crown Jewels in the U.K. or the four big history paintings in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington.

Benin, called Dahomey until its independence from France in 1960, is a sliver of a country touching the Atlantic and wedged between Togo and Nigeria. The French restitution this week is the first time a major stash of tribal art seized by a European colonizing power has ever been returned to its place of origin. The art was displayed one last time for a five-day special exhibition ending on Sunday. President Macron and the president of Benin attended a send-off ceremony.

About the Author

Brian T. Allen

Brian T. Allen is National Review’s art critic.

Twenty-six works of tribal art originally from what is now the Republic of Benin, in Africa, that were stolen by the French army in 1892, went back to Benin this week. Owned by the French State and displayed at the superb Musée du quai Branly–Jacques Chirac in Paris, the objects, some full-length wooden figures, were swiped from the king’s palace. Then and today, they’re considered heritage-defining treasures like the Crown Jewels in the U.K. or the four big history paintings in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington.

Benin, called Dahomey until its independence from France in 1960, is a sliver of a country touching the Atlantic and wedged between Togo and Nigeria. The French restitution this week is the first time a major stash of tribal art seized by a European colonizing power has ever been returned to its place of origin. The art was displayed one last time for a five-day special exhibition ending on Sunday. President Macron and the president of Benin attended a send-off ceremony.