The Igbo-Ukwu Bronzes

One of the central – but often overlooked – aspects of the repatriation debate is access to returned objects within a national context. The ninth-century Igbo-Ukwu bronzes are a case in point. They were first accidentally discovered in 1938 by Isaiah Anozie in the course of digging a water cistern in a compound, then more thoroughly excavated by Thurstan Shaw from 1959-1960, and subsequently by the Ibadan Institute of African Studies in 1964. Some excavated items were presented to the British Museum, some to the National Museum in Lagos, and some to the University of Ibadan. But today, no original objects are in Igbo-Ukwu, meaning that many members of the community have never seen them.

Following attempts by the Igbo Ukwu community to request access to the originals from the National Museum in Lagos, which were rejected on account of security concerns, Factum Foundation London was connected to the Igbo-Ukwu community, Dr Pamela Smith, and Dr Kingsley Daraojimba by Julie Hudson, curator in the Africa department at the British Museum. During the training, some bronzes were recorded using photogrammetry techniques taught by Factum Foundation’s Imran Khan and Ferdinand Saumarez Smith.

Render from the 3D model of the Roped Pot © Factum Foundation

In the second half of 2024, the use a new method of 3D printing in steel allowed Factum to surpass the level of detail that can be rendered using centrifugal bronze casting, opening up many possibilities for sculptures with complex surfaces. The 3D models of six iconic Igbo Ukwu bronzes were recreated as facsimiles, which will be electroplated in bronze and then patinated to match the originals. In April 2025, they will be presented to the Igbo Ukwu community and will be put on permanent display, thereby giving the community access to these objects in an act of “internal repatriation”. The project was supported by Cambridge Africa and Factum Foundation.

3D print in stainless steel of the Bronze Shell © Oak Taylor-Smith | Factum Foundation

3D print in stainless steel of the Roped Pot © Oak Taylor-Smith | Factum Foundation

3D print in stainless steel of the Bronze Serpent © Oak Taylor-Smith | Factum Foundation

3D print in stainless steel of the Bronze Serpent © Oak Taylor-Smith | Factum Foundation

Thank you to HRH Igwe Alexander Ejikemeuwa Ezeobidike Azike Onedibe, Idu III of Igbo-Ukwu, HRH Lolo Monica Azike, Ocheze III of Igbo-Ukwu, HRH Lolo Bernice Nwakaego Ezeh, Ocheze II of Igbo-Ukwu, The President General, Igbo-Ukwu Development Union, Sir Dr Barr. M.C.K Ubah, and the entire Igbo-Ukwu community, Olugbile Holloway, Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Cambridge Africa, Julie Hudson, Pamela Smith, and Kingsley Daraojimba.