The most prominent artifacts in the debate on the return of looted artifacts from a colonial context are the so-called Benin Bronzes. This term actually encompasses centuriesold courtly artworks made from a wide variety of materials, including brass, ivory, corral, and wood. They originate from the Benin Kingdom, which is located in present-day Edo State in Nigeria and is one of the most important kingdoms in the history of Africa. It has existed since the 12th century and was part of the British colony of Nigeria from 1897 to 1960.

The year 1897 marks a traumatic turning point, as the kingdom’s palace was looted and burned down by British troops. Many people were killed, the king was exiled, and thousands of works of art, many of which dated back to the 16th century, were transported to Europe as colonial war trophies. Most of the loot was auctioned off by London auction houses and thus ended up in European and American museums, as did the 96 artworks in the RJM. Many of the works were auctioned off by London auction houses and thus ended up in European and American museums, as did the 96 works in the RJM. The majority of the objects looted in 1897 entered the museum collections before the First World War.