Advertisement

Western museums pressed to return stolen treasures to Asia and Africa, so why are some dragging their feet?

  • Museums across Europe and the US are stocked with artefacts and artworks taken from Asia and Africa during the colonial years or as war booty
  • Calls have been growing to return these treasures to their countries of origin, and steps are being taken, but there is some resistance

Reading Time:5 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
2
A magnificent and exceptionally rare large Chinese white jade carving of Shulao and deer from the Qianlong-Jiaqing period (1736 to 1820), part of the Imperial Glories from the Springfield Museums Collection that will be auctioned this week. Photo: Christie’s

Qing dynasty treasures, including a carved white jade figure of the star god of longevity, Shulao, are scheduled for auction in Hong Kong on November 30 in a sale titled “Imperial Glories from the Springfield Museums Collection”.

Advertisement

The decision by Springfield Museums in the US state of Massachusetts to sell the 12 important China pieces, worth millions of dollars, follows recent government-commissioned reports in the Netherlands and France recommending the restitution of “war booty”, plundered during conflict, as well as pieces acquired for museums by colonial-era collectors who scooped up hundreds of thousands of items of art and historic interest from Europe’s colonial possessions.

Museums across Europe and the United States are considering their options, and assessing which pieces should be returned to their countries of origin as the worldwide tide of sentiment regarding museums’ rights and responsibilities changes. National governments in Asia and Africa have been asking for the return of items of important heritage for decades, and activists have become increasingly strident.

The Springfield Museums China pieces were “acquired” by US entrepreneur and collector George Walter Vincent Smith, who died in 1923. The jade figure alone is estimated to be worth between US$645,000 and US$900.000.

George Walter Vincent Smith “acquired” a number of Chinese pieces, including the jade figures at the Springfield Museums China.
George Walter Vincent Smith “acquired” a number of Chinese pieces, including the jade figures at the Springfield Museums China.
Advertisement

The Springfield institution is shifting its collections’ emphasis. “Proceeds realised from the sale will be used for the care of collections and to advance the museums’ commitment to equity, diversity and access through further art acquisitions by women artists, artists of colour and under-represented artists,” a publicity handout reads.

The global auction house Christie’s plans to sell the Springfield pieces after they have toured Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei and Hong Kong.

Advertisement