The Manhyia Palace in Kumasi has received 130 historic gold and bronze artworks from South Africa and Britain, marking a significant restitution to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the palace museum, officials said Monday.
The pieces, created in Kumasi and other parts of Asante between the 1870s and early 20th century, reflect traditional governance systems, social structures, and the economic importance of gold. They range in age from 45 to 160 years.
Of the 130 objects, 110 were restituted through AngloGold Ashanti, whose officials, including Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Stuart Bailey, Managing Director Samuel Boakye Pobee, and former MP Edward Ennin, received the Asantehene’s gratitude. The company had purchased the objects from open markets but deemed it appropriate to return them to their original source.
An additional 25 pieces were returned by 86-year-old British art historian Hermione Waterfield, who curated tribal art at Christie’s auction house in London and has been a long-time supporter of West African art restitution.
The collection includes a 46-inch wooden fontomfrom drum seized by British colonial forces during the 1900 Kumasi campaign, known as the Yaa Asantewaa War, and several gold weights purchased between 1967 and 1973.
Ivor Agyeman-Duah, historian and director of the Manhyia Palace Museum, highlighted the role of Waterfield and the late British archaeologist Timothy Garrard in shaping understanding of West African metalwork and goldsmith traditions.
Among the newly returned works are a brass self-portrait of Garrard on his motorbike, created by Yaw Amankwa in 1980, and pieces by renowned Ghanaian and African artists including Ablade Glover, El Anatsui, Ato Delaquis, Nee-Owoo, Anthony Kwame Akoto, Vincent Koffi, and Edwin Kwasi Bodjawah.
The palace said the returned objects would soon be displayed at the Manhyia Palace Museum, reinforcing efforts to preserve and celebrate Asante heritage and craftsmanship.
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