Victory in New Battle: Stolen Ethiopian Shield Removed From UK Auction After African Gov't's Request
17:33 29.02.2024 (Updated: 17:42 29.02.2024)
© Photo Anderson & Garland Auctioneers
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The Abyssinian shield was captured during the 1868 Battle of Maqdala, in which the British Lord Napier defeated the Ethiopian Emperor Tewodros II, and then his troops looted thousands of items, which were then taken to the UK and ended up in both private collections and public museums.
British auction house Anderson & Garland called off the sale of a shield looted from Ethiopia by British soldiers in the 19th century following the request of the government of the East African country, the media reported on Thursday.
"After careful consideration, we've taken the decision to withdraw this lot from [...] auction and have referred the matter back to our vendor for their consideration," said a spokeswoman for Anderson & Garland, as cited by the report.
The representative did not clarify whether the withdrawal was connected to any particular request from Ethiopian officials, who have long demanded the return of the stolen items.
Ethiopia's government reportedly praised the auction house and the shield's owner for their decision to cancel the sale and initiate discussions for its return.
The relic was removed from the auction as the Western countries have been under growing pressure to return the looted treasures.
Ethiopia's government reportedly praised the auction house and the shield's owner for their decision to cancel the sale and initiate discussions for its return.
The relic was removed from the auction as the Western countries have been under growing pressure to return the looted treasures.
One of the most important churches in the UK, Westminster Abbey, announced earlier this month that it had "decided in principle" to return to Ethiopia a sacred tablet that was also stolen during the Battle of Maqdala, according to the media.
