This is the first document in a weighty archival file titled Antiquities of Nigeria: refusal of British Museum to loan Benin Ivory Mask, 1976 Jan 01 – 1976 Dec 31. It is one of about one hundred pieces, letters, minutes and press clippings dealing with the negotiations that took place throughout 1976 in response to the request for a loan to the Federal Government of Nigeria of the Ivory Mask representing the Queen Mother Iy’Oba Idia of Benin, in the possession of the British Museum, for display at the 1977 FESTAC in Lagos. These documents were up until recently confidential and internal documents to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and reveal opinions and positions that were not at the time destined to be read by a wider public.
commented by Felicity Bodenstein
Original text Brief biography Commentary Literature
Confidential, Mr. Heath, Antiquities of Nigeria: Benin Ivory.source: FCO 65/1797, The National Archives, Kew, London. 1. Please see Mr Johnson’s letter of 19 December attached, to Mr Lewis. 2. Now that the Festival of African Culture (FESTAC) has once more a firm date, pressure to return the Festival’s symbol, the Royal Ivory of Benin in the British Museum, may be expected to become a live issue again. The background and the legal aspects of the case are set out in the enclosure to Mr Wyatt’s letter of 30 December 1974 to Mr Glaze. Mr Johnson is now suggesting that the British Museum could perhaps forestall inevitable criticism of its retention of this valuable piece either by loaning the mask to the Nigerians for the duration of the Festival, or – and this is the new idea – by putting it on special display in London. 3. After reading the past papers, I am confident that the Museum will resist the suggestion that the mask be sent to Nigeria on loan. They may be expected to put forward 2 reasons: firstly, they do not entirely trust the Nigerians to return it, and would therefore demand bankable assurances which it may be difficult to obtain. Secondly, the mask is extremely delicate and apparently needs to be kept free from vibration and movement and to be maintained in a controlled environment of exactly the right humidity to stop it crumbling. The Museum could reasonably anticipate that the Nigerians would not treat it with the care it demands especially since the Nigerians would tend to think of it as their own property. 4. The other idea set out in paragraphs 5 and 6 of the letter seems to me helpful and constructive and one which I should like, with your agreement, to suggest to the Museum. 5. I think it would be perfectly proper to do this quite soon. Previously we have been able to take comfort from the fact that neither we nor the British Museum have had any official approach from the Nigerians for the return of this Ivory. Such pressure as there has been has come from the press or from individuals, mainly expatriates. It would certainly be possible to do nothing until we were approached by the Nigerians formally; but we would then run up against our inability to be helpful in the way they would like. It would show goodwill on our part however if we were to tell the Nigerians without waiting for them to approach us, that the Museum would like to mount a special exhibition of the mask (and perhaps of other Benin pieces) to coincide with FESTAC. If this can be presented as being part of our contribution to FESTAC so much the better. 6. If you agree, therefore, I will talk this over with the British Museum and with CRD, and in the light of what they say reply to Mr Johnson. Mr Fairweather NIGERIA: FESTAC 77 AND THE BENIN IVORY MASK 1. I should he grateful if you would look at Mr Johnson’s letter of 19 December to Mr Lewis, and my minute of 5 January to Mr Heath. A copy of each is attached. 2. I should be grateful to know your views before I resume discussion with the British Museum. 3. Mr Heath’s suggestion that we (HMG or the British Museum) might supply a good copy of the ivory has been made before. It has not been ruled out categorically; but I understand that the copy would have to be made “freehand” because the ivory is too fragile to be used to make a mould. P J Roberts 6 January 1976
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