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Spoiled Spoils of War: When Are Official Spoils of War Legitimate Acquisitions at the British Museum?
- Author(s):
- Natalie Glitz Grumhaus
- Date:
- 2023
- Group(s):
- Michigan State International Law Review
- Subject(s):
- Law
- Item Type:
- Article
- Permanent URL:
- https://doi.org/10.17613/9pde-1q62
- Abstract:
- The British Empire acquired and stored many objects of historical and cultural significance in the British Museum during its travels, battles, and colonialization. Recently, nations attempting to regain pieces of their history and recover from colonization have begun to question the provenance of those objects. However, despite growing pressure, the Museum has been steadfast in its refusal to deaccession and repatriate the majority of the objects in its possession. Using the artifacts from Maqdala and the Benin Bronzes as case studies, this note explains why these refusals are required by law and when, if ever, such objects in question may be deaccessioned and repatriated.
- Notes:
- Author’s Note: This essay was written prior to the enactment of the Charities Act 2022, which has given national museums in England and Wales, like the British Museum, greater allowance to deaccession and repatriate contested items and cultural objects.1 As of yet, however, there still appears to be no movement on the part of the British Museum to adjust their policies or deaccession and repatriate any of its contested objects.
- Metadata:
- xml
- Published as:
- Journal article
- Status:
- Published
- Last Updated:
- 6 months ago
- License:
- All Rights Reserved
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