What is the British Museum doing to "decolonise" its collection?

The British Museum is loaning artifacts to former colonies, starting with 80 items to an Indian museum, to help correct colonial misinterpretations.

Can countries get back artifacts loaned by the British Museum?

The museum is exploring long-term loan deals as a collaborative model, distinct from outright repatriation, to address colonial legacies.

What kind of artifacts are included in the British Museum's loan to India?

The loan features diverse items like an ancient Egyptian boat model, Sumerian statues, and Roman artifacts, alongside items related to Indian history.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / British Museum Loans Treasures to "Decolonise" Narratives

British Museum Loans Treasures to "Decolonise" Narratives

17 Dec

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Summary

British Museum shares 80 artifacts with Indian museum to counter colonial misinterpretations.
Director Cullinan proposes a new model of cultural diplomacy via long-term artifact loans.
Loan includes Egyptian, Greek, and Sumerian treasures, marking a first with a non-Western museum.

British Museum Loans Treasures to "Decolonise" Narratives

The British Museum is launching an innovative cultural exchange, loaning 80 artifacts to Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya to help "decolonise" historical narratives. Director Nicholas Cullinan described this as a "new model" for working with former colonies, offering long-term artifact deals as a form of cultural diplomacy rather than zero-sum repatriation.

The collection includes a 4,000-year-old Egyptian river boat model, Sumerian statues, and a Roman mosaic, alongside artifacts linked to India. This significant loan, the first of its kind with a non-Western museum, aims to highlight India's historical contributions and correct "colonial misinterpretation."