October 21, 2010
Queen Idia mask from Benin damaged in US museum
Much is made (by Museums in the West) of the fact that artefacts may be less safe when located in museums in Africa & Asia. There is always a chance of damage occurring no matter where the museum is – it is all the more galling when it occurs in one of the countries that claims to be a safer location.
From:
South Florida Times
Rare Nigerian mask on loan to county broken
Written by Elgin JonesBROWARD COUNTY-The rare Queen Idia mask on loan to Broward County’s African American Library & Cultural Center has been found to be damaged.
“I was shown the broken mask in February when I went to the library to catalog the Osemwegie Ebohon Collection,” said Babacar M’Bow, International Programs & Exhibit coordinator for the Broward County Library system. “It was not broken when we received it in 2001 and there is documentation of that.”
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