The United Kingdom is set to return looted gold and silver artefacts from the 19th century to Ghana under a long-term loan agreement.
The British Museum and V&A will send pieces linked to the Asante royal court to be exhibited at Ghana’s Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi.
Much of the collection, including 13 Asante royal regalia pieces, was acquired during the Anglo-Asante wars or through indemnity payments extracted by the British from the Asantehene.
Some items were auctioned and ended up in private collections and global museums. The artefacts, chosen for their goldsmithing techniques, originally inspired British artists and designers at the V&A.
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This return marks the first display in Ghana in 150 years, coinciding with celebrations for the Asantehene’s Silver Jubilee and commemorating the 1873–74 Anglo-Asante war. The collection features items like a small gold ornament shaped like a sankuo (lute-harp) and an eagle ornament.
