Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Large crowds gather in Khan Younis to welcome the liberated Palestinian detainees, waving flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in celebration
Buses of released prisoners arrive in Ramallah
Israeli media: Netanyahu gifts Trump a "Golden Dove".
Israeli media: Netanyahu will take part in Sharm el-Sheikh Summit.

Even looted artworks require export licenses from UK: Minister

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Art Newspaper
  • 18 Feb 2023 13:26
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

A formal requirement for government licenses could be another impediment to a loan agreement for the Parthenon Marbles.

  • x
  • Some of the ceremonial heads from the kingdom of Benin (AFP)
    Some of the ceremonial heads from the kingdom of Benin (AFP)

The return of looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria by British institutions will necessitate the acquisition of UK export licenses. The arts minister, Stephen Parkinson, said as quoted by The Art Newspaper, stressing that things returned must go through the same process as other artwork.

“It is important that the export process is followed properly,” he claimed, in reference to any restitution by UK museums or private owners.

Benin bronzes are reportedly the most important African restitution issue, since the artworks were looted by the British army during their colonialization period in Ethiopia and what is now Ghana.

In the case of Benin, the government's advisory Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art would consider only valuable pieces of bronzes for deferral. Although it is exceedingly improbable that a UK buyer will step forward to make a matching offer and prevent repatriation, the standard procedures must still be undertaken. If a license were deferred, a valuation would be required in order for a UK buyer to match the cost.

The greatest Benin bronzes have fetched high prices, with one fetching $4.7 million at Sotheby's in 2007. Important Benin objects are now rarely openly sold due to restitution requests and growing worldwide awareness about how they were looted by the UK. With demand down, it would be impossible to set valuations for any art pieces meant for export.

Although Aberdeen University officially took possession of a bronze head of an Oba (king) in October 2021, the actual return was postponed until February 2022 to await a UK export license.

The Nigerian high commissioner in London, Sarafa Tunji Isola, considered whether the country could circumvent this requirement by utilizing diplomatic privileges, but he noted that there were "a lot of these artifacts to return home," so it would be best to start off.

The Horniman Museum in London handed over six Benin artifacts to Nigerian authorities last November, although it is unclear whether they are awaiting export licenses or have been returned.

The possible return of some of the Parthenon Marbles would also necessitate the acquisition of UK licenses. Although ownership of the statues could not be transferred to Greece, due to deaccessioning limitations imposed by the British Museum Act of 1963, even loans would require temporary export licenses.

Temporary licenses would force the Marbles to be repatriated to the UK rather than remaining in Athens indefinitely; a condition that has so far been deemed unacceptable by the Greeks. As a result, the official requirement for UK government temporary permissions may prove to be another stumbling block to a lending agreement between the British Museum and the Acropolis Museum.

It is worth noting that Western nations contributed to the theft of thousands of pieces of African art during conflict and colonization.

Oxford Uni: 97 artifacts looted in 1897 to be returned to Nigeria

  • licenses
  • Exports
  • UK
  • artefacts
  • Art

Most Read

Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
Ceasefire in Gaza takes effect amid conflicting signals and bombings

Gaza ceasefire takes effect; 'Israel' resumes bombing, timing disputed

  • Politics
  • 9 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Freed Palestinian prisoners carry rifles as they arrive in the Gaza Strip following their release from Israeli jails, outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, October 13, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian resistance remains steadfast, victorious Larijani says

Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Laffan inspecting the command structure of the 10th Infantry Brigade in Kfarskhna-Zgharta on October 13, 2025. (Lebanonese Army)
Politics

Lebanese Army chief: Israeli aggression threatens Lebanon's security

Hamas fighters escort buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners arriving in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli jails, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, October 13, 2025 (AP)
Politics

154 Palestinian prisoners exiled to Egypt under exchange deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives before US President Donald Trump addresses the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Monday, October 13, 2025 in Occupied Al-Quds. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Politics

Netanyahu withdraws from Sharm el-Sheikh summit amid regional pushback

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS