In February 1897 three columns of British troops advanced on the royal city of Benin in what is now Nigeria. Armed with artillery, Maxim machineguns and rocket launchers, they devastated villages on the way. Finally, the city was destroyed and the oba — king — was exiled. The total casualties are unknown. It was a dark day in British history.
What is known is that Benin was an African Florence. Gorgeous bronze plaques, carved tusks and sculptures, some hundreds of years old, were found. Thousands of objects were looted — some ending up in 150 museums and galleries around the world — many were lost to private owners and one, apparently, found its way on to the Antiques Roadshow.
Benin artefacts, notably the plaques,
