The collection includes royal regalia, ceremonial drums and gold weights dating back to the 1870s, highlighting the cultural and symbolic importance of gold in Asante tradition.
Twenty five of the items were donated by British art historian Hermione Waterfield, while the remaining pieces were handed over by the South African mining company AngloGold Ashanti. The handover took place at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, where company representatives described the gesture as one of cultural respect and reconciliation.
AngloGold Ashanti has faced criticism in the Ashanti region, where some residents say the company has benefited from local resources without delivering enough development or employment. The Asante king, however, expressed appreciation for the return of the artefacts, noting that they were legally acquired and acknowledging what he described as goodwill toward the legacy of the Asante kingdom.
Hermione Waterfield, a former curator at Christie’s in London, played a role in promoting African art internationally and was an early supporter of the restitution of cultural heritage. Among her donations was a wooden drum believed to have been taken during the 1900 siege of Kumasi by British colonial troops.
The restitution of African cultural objects has gained momentum in recent years. Last year, 32 artefacts were displayed at the Manhyia Palace Museum under a three year loan agreement with the Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Museum. In 2022, Germany returned a number of Benin Bronzes to Nigeria as part of efforts to address its colonial legacy.