African treasures brought to the UK by the British Army 150 years ago could be loaned back to Ethiopia after going on show at the V&A.
The museum consulted the Ethiopian embassy about its plans to show around 20 objects, including a gold crown seized at the siege of Maqdala.
The Ethiopian government has long appealed for the return of the treasure, brought back by a British military expedition after securing the release of British hostages imprisoned by Ethiopian Emperor Tewodros II.
Among the objects in the V&A’s Maqdala 1868 exhibition are a photograph of the Emperor’s son, a solid gold chalice, jewellery and a wedding dress believed to have belonged to the Emperor’s wife.
The V&A said it had consulted an advisory group including Ethiopian church leaders and historians about the show.
A spokeswoman for the museum said: “The advisory group was convened to discuss the interpretation of the display. Restitution didn’t come up. However, we welcome the opportunity to discuss how to ensure the widest possible access to this material … including long-term loans to an appropriate venue in Ethiopia.”
The show opens on April 5 and admission is free; vam.ac.uk
