The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art has announced the return of three medieval bronze sculptures to India, following an internal investigation that confirmed their illegal removal from temples decades ago. This move underscores a growing trend among Western institutions to address historical injustices in artefact collections.
Details of the Repatriated Sculptures
The sculptures include a 10th-century Shiva Nataraja, a 12th-century Somaskanda, and a 16th-century Sundarar with Paravai. Archival records and photographs from the French Institute of Pondicherry provided crucial evidence, showing these statues in Tamil Nadu temples between 1956 and 1959, confirming their unauthorised removal in the mid-20th century.
Loan Arrangement for Shiva Nataraja
While two of the bronzes will be fully repatriated to India, the Shiva Nataraja will remain on display in Washington, D.C., under a long-term loan agreement from India. This decision has sparked debate, with groups like the India Pride Project raising concerns over ownership and the implications of such loan arrangements for repatriation efforts.
Broader Implications for Museums
This repatriation reflects the museum's commitment to ethical collecting practices and aligns with increasing global demands for British and other Western institutions to return artefacts removed from former colonies or through illicit trade. It highlights ongoing pressures, such as recent protests urging the British Museum to return 'stolen' items, and signals a shift towards more transparent and responsible stewardship of cultural heritage.
The return of these sculptures not only rectifies a historical wrong but also sets a precedent for other museums to review their collections and engage in similar restitution processes, fostering international cooperation and respect for cultural property rights.
