As museums everywhere wrestle with what to do about artworks of questionable provenance in their possession, the Smithsonian in the United States is leading by example by agreeing to return its collection of Benin Kingdom Court Style artworks to their homeland in Nigeria. The Washington Post reports that the repatriation of the 39 priceless artworks is the cornerstone of an agreement that could be signed as early as next month which includes provisions for long-term loans, shared exhibitions and education programs in Nigeria.
