The Art Newspaper

ELLIS TERRELL JR, FORT WAYNE

The Benin culture is based on 13th century - 14th century SW. Nigerian imagery. It reflected the depictions of (Royal) Chiefs, Queens, and Kings. What other culture could be divinely depicted through works of Art. The Indianapolis Museum of Art featured a series of Benin Art that was well displayed and depicted African royalty. This is an (awesome) collection to see in (real) life. Words can not express the real-life imagery of an awesome culture.

ANDREA ENCINAS, LONDON

To Web Editor, New York: One does not have to wait for a court to validate illegality to know when something is illegal. So yes, Sotheby's is trafficking in stolen goods and the Galway family should be ashamed to have held on to property that DOES NOT belong to them for this long. The mask and all other such antiquities should be returned to the Nigerian government WITHOUT recompense. Since when something stolen that is returned should be paid for by the rightful owner? Ridiculous!

JANE PERRY, LONDON

I do hope these objects will be bought by a museum so they can be enjoyed and admired by the wider public. The Benin sculptures are wonderful works of art which deserve to be displayed.

WEB EDITOR, NEW YORK

Since this article was posted, the mask has been withdrawn from sale at Sotheby's at the request of the consignors. The legality or otherwise of these kind of sales is a matter of dispute and has not been tested recently in court, so it is not correct to describe Sotheby's as "trafficking in stolen goods". The ethics of such cases remain hotly debated.

GORDON TAPPER, NEW YORK

It is heartening to see that good sense prevailed and that the intended auctioning of the Benin Mask has been canceled by Sotheby's. However it is outrageous that the Galway family, having participated in the plunder of Benin in the late 1800's should now look to profit once more from their dastardly deed. While the item should have been returned to Africa/Nigeria at the very least the Galway's could have notified the Nigerian Government that they intended to dispose of it and offered it back to them at a negotiated price.

EDO AIKHIONBARE, WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA

There can be no justice if this stolen Benin art work is sold. It will be illegal. The right thing to do is to return this to their rightful owners, the Oba's Palace in Benin City, Nigeria ASAP.

KINGSLEY JESUOROBO, TORONTO

Benin Ivory Mask: It is appalling that this treasured item is being sold by the heirs of the people who looted it from the Benin Empire of pre-colonial Nigeria and/or their accomplices with the apparent acquiescence of the British authorities and Sotheby's. What example is being set here? Shameful!!!! Tomorrow, we will see looted Iraqi antiquities being publicly auctioned off on American, British (or any of the allies) streets?

SYLVESTER OGBECHIE, SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA

This artwork does not belong to the descendants of Sir. Gallway. It belongs to the descendants of King Ovonramwen of Benin, hence to the reigning Benin King. By selling the mask, Sotheby's is trafficking in stolen goods. This is theft outright and the company should bear legal responsibility for selling a stolen artwork. See http://aachronym.blogspot.com/2010/12/sothebys-is-trafficiking-in-stolen.html

TON CREMERS, ROTTERDAM

Read Kwame Opoku's comment about this sale: http://www.museum-security.org/opoku_idia_mask.htm