Asante Gold: UK to loan back Ghana's looted 'crown jewels' - MyJoyOnline

Some national museums in the UK - including the V&A and the British Museum - are banned by law from permanently giving back contested items in their collections and loan deals such as this are seen as a way to allow objects to return to their countries of origin.

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The items to be loaned, most of which were taken during 19th-Century wars between the British and the Asante, include a sword of state and gold badges worn by officials charged with cleansing the soul of the king.

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The items will go on display at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, the capital of the Asante region, to celebrate the Asantehene's silver jubilee.

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The British Museum is also returning on loan a total of 15 items, some of them looted during a later conflict in 1895-96, including a sword of state known as the Mpomponsuo.

A gold model harp (top left) was given to the British Museum in the early 19th Century

The sankuo was presented to the British writer and diplomat Thomas Bowdich in 1817, who said it was intended as a gift from the Asantehene to the museum to demonstrate the wealth and status of the Asante nation.

There are other beautiful Asante gold items in the UK