The Maqdala Shield will be on display at the Toledo Museum of Art.Photo by Nick Caito and Courtesy of the Royal Ethiopian Trust.

Maqdala Shield Will Be Repatriated to Ethiopia After Exhibition in Ohio

by · ARTnews

A 19th-century shield withdrawn from public auction in the UK earlier this year will be repatriated to Ethiopia.

The Royal Ethiopian Trust (RET) recently announced it had negotiated the repatriation of the engraved shield from the Anderson & Garland auction house. The metal and animal hide artifact was inscribed with the location and date of the conflict “Magdala 13th April 1868,” and was looted by British soldiers. In February, it was listed as Lot 903 in Anderson & Garland’s sale “The Collector’s Auction”and given a modest estimate of £800 to £1,200.

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The shield was withdrawn from the sale after pressure from the Ethiopian government.

“This shield is not just a historical artifact; it is a symbol of Ethiopia’s history and resilience,” Prince Ermias said in a press statement. “Our efforts and success in regaining this treasure is a testament to our commitment to preserve our heritage and honor our ancestors who fought for our nation’s sovereignty.”

The shield’s return was secured through a collaboration with British scholar Alula Pankhurst, the grandson of English activist Sylvia Pankhurst. The elder Pankhurst became devoted to Ethiopia after Italy’s invasion in 1936, founded the journal the New Times and Ethiopia News, and moved to the country in 1956.

“It has been an honor to work with Prince Ermias and the Royal Ethiopian Trust to return this significant piece of history to its people,” Pankhurst said in a press statement. “Our families have long been dedicated to safeguarding Ethiopia’s heritage, and ensuring that this shield returns to the Ethiopian people is a proud continuation of that legacy.”

The artifact will be on display at the Toledo Museum of Art from October 4 to October 27. After its appearance in Ohio, it will be transported to the National Museum of Ethiopia.