Why are stolen African artifacts still in Western museums?
The remains include thousands of Africans’ skulls. These collections of African remains are reminders of scientific racism and the creation of human zoos which took place as recently as 1958, when living people from Congo were put on display for a world fair event.
Did Europeans steal African art?
During war and colonisation, Western nations participated in the theft of thousands of pieces of African art. This is the story of the role Britain’s anti-slavery mission played in looting African artefacts, and of the campaign to get them returned.
What did England steal from Africa?
At this time British interests lay with African produce rather than with the slave trade and between 1553 and 1660 numerous charters were granted to British merchants to establish settlements on the West Coast of Africa to supply goods such as ivory, gold, pepper, dyewood and indigo.
Where are the oldest art objects found in Africa?
Only since the end of the 19 th century has figurative carving in ivory been common elsewhere, and then primarily to meet the demand of the tourist trade. The oldest art objects found anywhere south of the Sahara are the terra cotta figures discovered at Nok in Nigeria, many of which date from five centuries before the birth of Christ.
Why is physical destruction of culturally significant artifacts?
Physical destruction of culturally significant artifacts grants perpetrators the power to reject them as unimportant and to limit how well they can be known to future generations.
What kind of metal was used in African art?
As a general rule, clay was seldom used for figurative sculpture, probably because of the difficulties of firing large pieces. Brass casting also has a long history in Africa. All brass and bronze and most casting in gold was done by a very sophisticated technique known as the “lost wax” process.
What kind of treasures were taken from Maqdala?
The Maqdala treasures include an 18th Century gold crown and a royal wedding dress, taken from Ethiopia (formerly Abyssinia) by the British army in 1868. Historians say 15 elephants and 200 mules were needed to cart away all the loot from Maqdala, Emperor Tewodros II’s northern citadel capital.