Widespread ignorance about Africa made it easier for Europeans to spread ideas about the inferiority of African culture and civilisation. This beautiful item from the Benin and Yoruba kingdoms show that superb craftsmanshit and metalworking existed before the time of European intervention.

Over 900 bronze busts sit in museums across Europe and America. They were taken during a British punitive expedition that burned and looted the ancient city of Benin in 1897.

The historican racism towards Africans is compounded by ignorance of the cultural achievements of Africa and its people. But some of the most valued items in our museums are galleries provide examples of the sophistication of African arts and material culture. Is it not time that the richness of African cultural history was acknowledged and received its long-overdue recognition?

This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access for free. Scan the World is an open source, community effort, if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.

Scanned : Photogrammetry (Processed using Agisoft PhotoScan)