Latest News
“Modern morality,” wrote Oscar Wilde, “consists in accepting the standard of one’s age.” But how can museums define the moral standard of our age when constrained by historic rules of stewardship and the absence of a modern ethical framework?
About Cultural Restitution
Cultural restitution is the process by which a moveable object of historic or cultural value is returned to its country of origin after being seized, looted or acquired against the will of its owners. However, it is more than just an act of return. Restitution represents a growing recognition of the need to correct injustices committed in the past.
Today, as society’s values change, the legitimacy and ownership of these objects – as well as those thought to be procured legally – is coming under a global spotlight. As complicated and sensitive as this debate may be, there’s no stopping the growing desire for change. This involves new policies that are built on openness and fairness, policies that will help build bridges of friendship with communities of origin.
Latest News
“Modern morality,” wrote Oscar Wilde, “consists in accepting the standard of one’s age.” But how can museums define the moral standard of our age when constrained by historic rules of stewardship and the absence of a modern ethical framework?
This week’s announcement that Cambridge University has transferred legal ownership of its collection of 116 Benin artefacts to Nigeria could be hugely significant
Britain’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport has confirmed it will review the exclusion it imposed on national collections that prevents them from returning cultural objects on moral grounds
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Mapping the location of cultural restitutions
Our extensive Global Archive provides invaluable links to many other restitutions and other restitution news taking place around the world - organised by country.
View our interactive Map
A Museum Perspective
“It is right to return the stave to Nigeria. Repatriation can be a powerful cultural, spiritual and symbolic act which recognises the wrongs of the past and restores some sense of justice.”
Keith Merrin, Director of Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums, January 2022, following a decision to repatriate a Benin brass stave to Nigeria