![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5Y2UI33AMGXHYAPSKGP33SUVVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=c3341b9ae5c1299e2477f8964a9554a98726f6e7aadb13755d83348ad071de44&width=400&height=225)
A sculpture entitled 'Royal Seat'. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BHQBGX5TBB4EVCPLQX436U4HK4.jpg?smart=true&auth=eb4bf7ed37be747ae7e8f5eb46a89b79bf690aa5c35b4478e446f94d9bb7fb5f&width=400&height=225)
The royal statues of a half-man half-bird, left, of King Ghezo, and half-man half-lion of Benin's 19th century King Glele, are pictured at the Quai Branly–Jacques Chirac museum, Monday, Oct. 25, 2021 in Paris. In a decision with potential ramifications across European museums, France is displaying 26 looted colonial-era artifacts for one last time before returning them home to Benin. The wooden anthropomorphic statues, royal thrones and sacred altars were pilfered by the French army in the 19th century from Western Africa. (AP Photo / Michel Euler)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZF65KW32J3YIR7AGQW5VQFCSCM.jpg?smart=true&auth=94f9226ea6331beb16de019fe6d01adcef24b80d5c6fea5e7c414efa44746553&width=400&height=225)
Artworks from the collection on display inside the Quai Branly Museum. The 26 pieces, from a trove of objects taken by French forces in 1892, are being shown for only six days at the museum before being shipped to Benin. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y3FVRLJQRRB3IUR3T5IS3YDAJI.jpg?smart=true&auth=705a02a2d803525ccbd53db64f0b3b2a104f7a28b2ac97b841448b1e8d25c084&width=400&height=225)
The treasures are from the kingdom of Dahomey in the south of present-day Benin. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BXAMHMDCOM6WQ6TIB7XMQEP3EM.jpg?smart=true&auth=29745f9f19c3c0a6751464332645d98ca7529d584d418250a0704bd6ae1a3807&width=400&height=225)
The 19th century throne of King Ghezo, left, and the throne of King Glele, from Benin, are part of the exhibit. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HLMQNBTILAJMM7FIQF2OKO4ONY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4e86cb4d3158fdb44219e2bb7efccdad81e2e33592b2954e41a507b1f182beca&width=400&height=225)
A close-up view of the detail on one of King Glele's palace doors. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XHX7KHO63VAA7Z77B5OQUNGA6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=6d9f2d65a604f0cc924913e2d96c27c203fd3fba4236ea14c04cef97f6f087a3&width=400&height=225)
A statue of Benin's 19th century King Behanzin on display. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5Y2UI33AMGXHYAPSKGP33SUVVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=c3341b9ae5c1299e2477f8964a9554a98726f6e7aadb13755d83348ad071de44&width=400&height=225)
A sculpture entitled 'Royal Seat'. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BHQBGX5TBB4EVCPLQX436U4HK4.jpg?smart=true&auth=eb4bf7ed37be747ae7e8f5eb46a89b79bf690aa5c35b4478e446f94d9bb7fb5f&width=400&height=225)
The royal statues of a half-man half-bird, left, of King Ghezo, and half-man half-lion of Benin's 19th century King Glele, are pictured at the Quai Branly–Jacques Chirac museum, Monday, Oct. 25, 2021 in Paris. In a decision with potential ramifications across European museums, France is displaying 26 looted colonial-era artifacts for one last time before returning them home to Benin. The wooden anthropomorphic statues, royal thrones and sacred altars were pilfered by the French army in the 19th century from Western Africa. (AP Photo / Michel Euler)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZF65KW32J3YIR7AGQW5VQFCSCM.jpg?smart=true&auth=94f9226ea6331beb16de019fe6d01adcef24b80d5c6fea5e7c414efa44746553&width=400&height=225)
Artworks from the collection on display inside the Quai Branly Museum. The 26 pieces, from a trove of objects taken by French forces in 1892, are being shown for only six days at the museum before being shipped to Benin. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y3FVRLJQRRB3IUR3T5IS3YDAJI.jpg?smart=true&auth=705a02a2d803525ccbd53db64f0b3b2a104f7a28b2ac97b841448b1e8d25c084&width=400&height=225)
The treasures are from the kingdom of Dahomey in the south of present-day Benin. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BXAMHMDCOM6WQ6TIB7XMQEP3EM.jpg?smart=true&auth=29745f9f19c3c0a6751464332645d98ca7529d584d418250a0704bd6ae1a3807&width=400&height=225)
The 19th century throne of King Ghezo, left, and the throne of King Glele, from Benin, are part of the exhibit. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HLMQNBTILAJMM7FIQF2OKO4ONY.jpg?smart=true&auth=4e86cb4d3158fdb44219e2bb7efccdad81e2e33592b2954e41a507b1f182beca&width=400&height=225)
A close-up view of the detail on one of King Glele's palace doors. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XHX7KHO63VAA7Z77B5OQUNGA6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=6d9f2d65a604f0cc924913e2d96c27c203fd3fba4236ea14c04cef97f6f087a3&width=400&height=225)
A statue of Benin's 19th century King Behanzin on display. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5Y2UI33AMGXHYAPSKGP33SUVVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=c3341b9ae5c1299e2477f8964a9554a98726f6e7aadb13755d83348ad071de44&width=400&height=225)
A sculpture entitled 'Royal Seat'. EPA
France displays 26 looted colonial artefacts from Benin for final time
Pieces were taken out of the country by French forces in 1892
![Neil Murphy](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Fbbfa4928-39b4-46b0-af7f-7416c61294c8.png?smart=true&auth=912c92a7a067110331cea5ca5e5883f656912bdbba05c09eed2ffbe0b324c8d1&width=70&height=70)
Neil Murphy
26 October, 2021
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