What should we do with looted objects?

During the 1800s, British colonial military forces looted cultural property to fund their conquests. Museums collected many of these objects – buying them at auction or accepting donations from the government or soldiers’ families. The objects here were all looted in campaigns during Field Marshal Garnet Wolseley’s long career.

Today museums must deal with this difficult inheritance. The 1983 Heritage Act prohibits UK institutions like the V&A from returning objects to the countries they came from. Nevertheless, the V&A is building partnerships with institutions in these countries to loan objects for display. 

Written by Jacques Schuhmacher, Senior Provenance Research Curator
Published: May 2025

Collecting Stories

Museum Number
T.139-1917
Title/Description
Cushion cover
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
China
Date
ca. 1800-20
Materials/Techniques
Silk
Object information
Museum Number
1613-1903
Title/Description
Necklace
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
South Africa
Date
ca. 1850-1900
Materials/Techniques
Glass
Object information
Museum Number
1469-1877
Title/Description
Medal
Artist/Maker
Wyon, Leonard Charles
Location
England
Date
19th century
Materials/Techniques
Silver
Object information
Museum Number
E.163:7-2009
Title/Description
The Rivington Place Portfolio
Artist/Maker
Locke, Hew
Location
New Jersey
Date
2006-2007
Materials/Techniques
Plastic, Digital inkjet printing, Collage
Object information
Museum Number
3134(IS)
Title/Description
Dagger
Location
Lucknow
Object information