The Ethiopian government has successfully intervened to halt the sale of a stolen 19th-century shield through a British auction house. This shield, taken by British forces during the Battle of Magdala in 1868, has remained in the United Kingdom ever since.
Ethiopian authorities have persistently advocated for the return of looted artifacts, including this shield.
Anderson & Garland, the auction house, had slated the shield for sale last month, with an estimated value ranging from euro 800 to euro 1,200 (USD 1,000 to USD 1,500).
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However, the Ethiopian Heritage Authority vehemently opposed the sale, asserting that the shield was unlawfully obtained during a punitive expedition to Ethiopia. The Authority urged the auction house to cancel the sale and facilitate the shield’s restitution and repatriation to Ethiopia.
Following discussions with the Ethiopian government, the auction house made the decision to cancel the sale and comply with the request to return the shield. The Ethiopian Heritage Authority welcomed this decision, expressing optimism that the shield would soon return to Ethiopia.
