Provenance #2: the Benin collections at the National Museum of World Cultures

Abstract

"Since 2019, the National Museum of World Cultures in the Netherlands has undertaken focused research into the provenance of the collections related to the Kingdom of Benin, and more specifically those artworks connected to the attack on, and looting of, Benin City in 1897. In recognition of this painful history and the consequent sense of loss that these artworks represent, we are making accessible the full extent of our research on all the collections historically attributed to the Kingdom of Benin. This is part of our commitment to transparency and to provide access to our collections and their histories. The freely downloadable e-book presents our most up-to-date provenance research on the Benin City collections. It is based on the range of archival documents inside and outside the National Museum of World Cultures, biographical information and historical sources. In this manner it examines the way in which each artwork entered the collections, in order to contribute to research on Benin City collections and establish the nature of the link between these artworks with the military looting of Benin City in 1897. In October 2020, the Dutch Council for Culture (Raad voor Cultuur) presented a report entitled "Colonial Collections and a Recognition of Injustice". The museum acknowledges the systemic injustice that the looting of Benin City is part of, and the need for repair of this injustice as one of the tasks of the museum. The publication of The Benin Collections at the National Museum of World Cultures is a step in this process and an invitation for further dialogue and action."--

Contents

Foreword / Henrietta Lidchi -- Introduction / Henrietta Lidchi and Annette Schmidt -- Archival Museum Sources / Rosalie Hans -- Collection Connections to the 1897 Military Campaign / Henrietta Lidchi, Rosalie Hans and Annette Schmidt -- Link proven to the 1897 British military campaign / Rosalie Hans with Annette Schmidt -- Likely link to the 1897 British military campaign / Rosalie Hans with Annette Schmidt -- Unlikely link to the 1897 British military campaign / Rosalie Hans with Annette Schmidt -- No link to the 1897 British military campaign / Rosalie Hans with Annette Schmidt - Missing / Rosalie Hans with Annette Schmidt -- Catalogue / Annette Schmidt with Rosalie Hans -- Bibliography.