Recent Posts
A rare and important 19th century gold hairpin once owned by Empress Tiruwork, wife of the Abyssinian Emperor Tewodros II, will be returning to Ethiopia following negotiations by the Royal Ethiopian Trust with the Rome auction house Bertolami Fine Art
Latest Restitution News
Recent articles added to our comprehensive resource list of restitution news from around the world
DEC 2025
United Kingdom
The British Museum is expected to loan a 14th cent Asante ewer looted from Kumasi in 1896 to Ghana next year
NOV 2025
United Kingdom
National collections will be excluded from new rules in the Charities Act 2022 that otherwise permit charity trustees to make their own decisions on small ex gratia payments
NOV 2025
Germany
Twelve Ethiopian artefacts, collected in the 1920s by Germany's then envoy to Ethiopia, have been handed over to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies in Addis Ababa
NOV 2025
Ghana
Ghana's Asante King has welcomed the return of 130 gold and bronze artefacts, twenty-five donated by a British art historian and the balance from the South African mining company AngloGold Ashanti
From the Editor
The latest analysis and reports on cultural restitution news
A rare and important 19th century gold hairpin once owned by Empress Tiruwork, wife of the Abyssinian Emperor Tewodros II, will be returning to Ethiopia following negotiations by the Royal Ethiopian Trust with the Rome auction house Bertolami Fine Art
In 2022 several western collections made a decision to transfer ownership of their Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. Reassured by progress on the construction of a major new facility in Benin City, they understood their Benin artefacts would be exhibited in a new museum to be called the Edo Museum of West African Art
After years of delay and political distraction, the official opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum finally took place in the shadow of the pyramids on the evening of November 1st attended by monarchs, world leaders, heads of state and government
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. But it's more than just an act of return. It represents a growing recognition of the need to correct injustices committed in the past.
Today, as society’s values and the role of museums change, the legitimacy and ownership of these objects – as well as those thought to be procured legally – are coming under a spotlight. As complicated and sensitive as this debate may be, there’s no halting the growing debate between museums and communities of origin to find solutions that build new bridges of friendship and cooperation. This involves a new approach to restitution built on transparency and fairness - engaging with source communities and ensuring their voice is heard.
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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.
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A Museum Perspective
"This repatriation demonstrates what can be accomplished when we choose to build bridges. Through collaboration grounded in trust and mutual respect, we can continue to ensure that significant Ethiopian cultural treasures are accessible for all Ethiopians - and for the world - to study, appreciate and learn from."
Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie
