UK to Loan Back Looted ‘Crown Jewels’ from Ghana

The United Kingdom has announced plans to loan back a collection of Asante Gold artifacts that were taken from Ghana over a century ago. This initiative aims to celebrate the Asantehene’s silver jubilee by displaying these historical items at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, the capital of the Asante region.

Tristram Hunt, the director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, likened the significance of the gold items to ‘our Crown Jewels’. Among the items to be loaned are a sword of state, gold badges worn by officials responsible for purifying the king’s soul, and a gold peace pipe. These artifacts were predominantly acquired during conflicts in the 19th century between the UK and the Asante.

In a statement, Mr. Hunt emphasized the importance of acknowledging the origins of objects obtained through war and looting, stating, ‘(When museums hold) objects with origins in war and looting in military campaigns, we have a responsibility to the countries of origin to think about how we can share those more fairly today’.

Interestingly, the loan agreements for these artifacts are not directly with the Ghanaian government but with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the current Asante King, who notably attended the Coronation of King Charles last year.

A pair of silver anklets is among the selection being loaned out

A cast gold badge which was among the selection of Asante gold taken from Ghana