Returning African Artifacts: Restitution stirs concerns among museums, art dealers in France

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Europe

02:57

More than a year ago, the president of France said he supported the idea of repatriating African artworks that had been removed without permission, if the countries of origin asked for them. Now, a newly-released French government report has recommended just that, upsetting some French museum and gallery directors, who fear a precedent may be set. CGTN's Stefan de Vries in France reports.

This stunning building is the Quai Branly Jacques Chirac Museum. It houses the art collection of France's former colonies. But now the time has come to turn a page. President Emmanuel Macron has announced these art works should be returned to their country of origin.

STEFAN DE VRIES PARIS "This museum alone contains more than 70-thousand objects from Africa. And giving all those back will put huge pressure on other art collections from other colonial powers, like the UK, Spain or the Netherlands."

The Republic of Benin in West Africa is the first to benefit from this new policy. Much to the delight of this Franco-Beninese arts dealer.

MARIE-CECILE ZINSOU BENIN ARTS DEALER "It's a very important decision of the French president because the youth in Africa is very keen to know its history. The people want to see these objects back because they want to see their history back."

Yet, there are also critics of the report, like Yves Debie, a lawyer who specializes in art trade.

YVES DEBIE LAWYER "Macron just received the report last Friday. He already said 'I will return the art'. But the law hasn't changed. So what does it mean? They have made lists, country by country. If the country is interested in any art object, a commission will decide what to do, and then there will be a bilateral agreement. That's not respecting the law, that's spin!"

STEFAN DE VRIES PARIS "One of the controversial objects in this museum is this ceremonial throne. It will now be given back to Benin."

According to Yves Debie, it's risky to transfer this artwork which has been kept in excellent condition to the rather basic museums in Africa.

YVES DEBIE LAWYER "Belgium transferred 114 objects to Congo in the 1980s. Well, when we made the inventory 10 years later, almost all had been sold or had simply disappeared."

Unfounded fears, says Marie-Cécile Zinsou.

MARIE-CECILE ZINSOU BENIN ARTS DEALER "No, it's not going to be the emptiness of French museums. Some of them will ask, some won't. And they're not going to ask for 46,000 objects. That doesn't happen. It's gonna be a cooperation and French museums and African museums are gonna work together. And I think everybody is going to be enriched by this restitution."

STEFAN DE VRIES PARIS "The restitution of art work is a radical shift in policy. But it could also mean a fresh start for those countries that possess a number of artifacts acquired without consent during the colonial era. Stefan de Vries, CGTN, Paris."