The Return of the Horniman Museum’s Benin Artworks: A Case Study

This book offers a detailed case study of the transfer of ownership to Nigeria in November 2022 of the 72 artworks in the Horniman’s collections looted by the British from Benin City in 1897, as an occasion to explore the current state of the issue of restitution of cultural objects. It argues that we are at a tipping point, where decades of debate but little action about restitution is now changing to a period when at least the most egregious examples of colonial looting are being addressed. It summarises the key issues involved in these returns, outlines the processes and procedures undertaken by the Horniman, and offers recommendations and reflections for the future.

Dr Nick Merriman was Chief Executive of the Horniman Museum and Gardens in London from 2018 -2024. In 2022 the organisation was awarded the Art Fund Museum of the Year prize. Previously he was Director of the Manchester Museum at the University of Manchester, and prior to that Reader in Museum and Heritage Studies at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London. He is Honorary Professor of Museum Studies at UCL and the University of Manchester. Among many other appointments has been President of the Council for British Archaeology, and Chair of ICOM UK. He is known for his contributions to the development of public archaeology and museum studies, and for influencing the heritage sector around issues of cultural diversity, sustainability and the future of collections.

He took up the role of Chief Executive of English Heritage in February 2024.