Fowler Returns 7 Objects to Ghana

Strand of Seed or Bug-Shaped Beads, Single Whole Bead, and a Gold Disk, before 1874. Formerly Fowler Museum at UCLA, gift of Wellcome Trust

UCLA's Fowler Museum has returned seven objects in its collection to Ghana. Looted by British forces in the third Anglo-Asante war (1874), the restitutions will be accepted by Ashanti monarch (Asantehene) Osei Tutu II on Feb. 8, in a ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of the war.

The objects entered UCLA's collection in 1965, as part of the globe-spanning trove assembled by American-born British pharmaceutical tycoon Henry Wellcome. After Wellcome's 1936 death, his collection remained in storage for nearly three decades before about 30,000 pieces were donated to UCLA's newly established ethnographic museum. (Another part of the Wellcome collection is exhibited in an eponymous London museum.)

The Fowler's Erica Jones met with the Asantehene last year to arrange the returns. The objects include a royal necklace, an ornamental chair of brass, iron, leather, and wood, and an elephant-tail whisk. 

Last month the British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum agreed to lend a group of gold and silver works looted in the 1874 war to the Manhyia Palace Museum for Ghana's celebration. That move was described as a long-term loan, not a permanent restitution.

UPDATE: Here is the Fowler's press release (which tartly contrasts the Fowler's "unconditional ethical return" with the British Museum and V&A's "six year loan of looted objects.")

The returned objects have been scanned, and the Fowler has commissioned Ghanaian artists to produce replicas for use in exhibitions.

Ornamental Chair (Asipim), before 1874. Formerly Fowler Museum at UCLA, gift of Wellcome Trust

Royal Necklace (gorget) or Stool Ornament, before 1874. Formerly Fowler Museum at UCLA, gift of Wellcome Trust 

Sika Mena (elephant tail whisk), before 1874. Formerly Fowler Museum at UCLA, Gift of Wellcome Trust

Royal Stool Ornament, before 1874. Formerly Fowler Museum at UCLA, Gift of Wellcome Trust