Provenance Research And Potential Restitution

Handling colonial cultural goods: Baden-Württemberg's approach

Baden-Württemberg acknowledges its historical responsibility and is committed to provenance research in order to identify and return colonial cultural goods that were acquired unlawfully.

Berechne Lesezeit

Ministerin Petra Olschowski und weitere Akteure mit der Elfenbeinmaske der Königsmutter

Until the 20th century, many cultural goods were brought to Europe from colonial contexts. This was often done by force, through military action or on behalf of museums and university collections. Baden-Württemberg is leading the way in coming to terms with the colonial era and its consequences. The possible restitution of cultural goods and human remains from colonial contexts is embedded in an overall strategy involving museums, universities, archives and the communities of origin - this is the Baden-Württemberg approach.

Petra Olschowski, Minister of Science, Research and Arts: "The question of how we handle cultural goods and other objects in our collections that were acquired in a colonial context is increasingly being discussed - far beyond the museums. The topic is also gaining relevance in society, as coming to terms with the past is always the starting point for understanding the present. Baden-Württemberg is fulfilling its historical responsibility in this regard."

Transparency and openness are of crucial importance when engaging with colonial legacies. This means: well-processed and curated collections that also provide information about the objects' origins and a possible colonial context. For this reason, the collections in Baden-Württemberg's museums and universities are being systematically processed and the results made available online. This is the starting point for further dialogue and cooperation - especially with the communities and countries of origin.

„We are continuing our systematic scientific research into the provenance of our museum and scientific collections and are disclosing this transparently. The focus here is on provenance research relating to Nazi-looted property and objects acquired in a colonial context of injustice. This may result in the return of relevant objects.“

Baden-Württemberg coalition agreement

Restitutions that have already been carried out

Die ehemalige Wissenschaftsministerin gibt die Witboii-Bibel und -Peitsche in Namibia zurück

Restitution of ancestral remains

The restitution of ancestral remains taken from colonial contexts carries a specific ethical obligation, as these consist of bones, skulls and skeletons of deceased individuals. Ancestral remains were often looted by force, in a fundamentally unethical manner, and brought to Europe. This was almost always done without the consent of themselves and of their relatives.

The restitution of human remains - in close consultation with representatives of the communities of origin - is a high priority for Baden-Württemberg. In doing so, the state is acting in accordance with the Framework Principles for Dealing with Collections from Colonial Contexts, which were adopted by the federal and state governments and the municipal umbrella organisations in 2019. The Framework Principles include the obligation to restitute ancestral remains unconditionally.

So far, ancestral remains have been restituted to delegations from Australia, New Zealand, Hawai’i and Marshall Islands.

Pressemitteilung (Press release DE) (Hawaii)
Pressemitteilung (Press release DE) (Neuseeland)
Pressemitteilung (Press release DE) (Australien)
Pressemitteilung (Press release DE) (Marshallinseln)

Provenance research forms the basis for potential restitution. This scientific analysis of the history of origin also aims to determine the context of the theft, the cultural significance and the collection history of cultural goods and ancestral remains. In doing so, connections to other object groups and collections are also taken into consideration. Cooperation with experts or institutions com communities and countries of origin is essential to provenance research.

The aim is to clarify the provenance to such an extent that restitution to communities or countries of origin is feasible, if an unlawful acquisition can be assumed. This is a complex, labor-intensive and long-term task. For this reason, the state of Baden-Württemberg and the state capital of Stuttgart each are funding 50% of a permanent position for provenance research at the Linden Museum.