Just one week after historical Ethiopian objects looted from Maqdala were withdrawn from an auction in Dorset, five more Ethiopian objects have been withdrawn from auction in the Netherlands. Both actions demonstrate Ethiopia’s unyielding commitment to securing the return of its looted heritage.

These latest five objects, including three medieval hand-coloured Ethiopic manuscripts, dating from the 15^th century, on vellum in their original wooden bindings, and two Coptic textile fragments, believed to be 6th/7^th century or later, were being offered for sale at the Venduehuis der Notarissen in The Hague last week (25^th June). 

Once brought to the attention of Ethiopia’s Embassy in The Hague, a request was made by the Embassy to halt their sale, until the legality of their export from Ethiopia had been confirmed. Just four days later, the Embassy were informed by the auctioneers that the vendor had agreed to withdraw the objects and present them to the Embassy instead. Unlike the objects withdrawn from the auction in Bridport last week, the provenance of these objects remains unclear. However, the Embassy is now free to make arrangements to return them back to their rightful home in Ethiopia.

“In securing the return of these items to the people and culture that produced them,” said Ethiopian Ambassador Million Samuel, “we send a clear message that all illegally obtained cultural heritage must find its way home”.

In 2020 the Ethiopian Embassy in The Hague was also involved in arranging the return of an 18^th century religious crown, stolen from the Holy Trinity Church in the village of Cheleqot in 1993. The crown had found its way to Rotterdam, but since returning to Ethiopia has been on display at the National Museum in Addis Ababa. In the future, the crown will be returned to its original home in Cheleqot.

Photo: Members of the religious community on Dek Island in Lake Tana display an ancient Ethiopian manuscript

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons