Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the process of curating the V&A's display 'Maqdala 1868', which aims to encourage a dialogue about objects collected during historic periods of conflict and promote discussion about access to these collections in museums today.

Paper long abstract:

On 13 April 1868, the fortress of Emperor Tewodros II at Maqdala was attacked by British troops seeking to secure the release of a number of European hostages being held captive by the Emperor. As the fortress was captured, Tewodros committed suicide and the British troops proceeded to remove a large quantity of treasure from Maqdala and the surrounding areas, much of which was brought back to England.

In April 2018, to mark the 150th anniversary of these events, the V&A opened 'Maqdala 1868', a display of around 20 objects connected to the British Expedition to Ethiopia. The display considers the role of these objects as witnesses to a significant and difficult period in Ethiopian and British history, and addresses some of the questions and controversies surrounding objects of this nature in UK museums. The display has been developed in consultation with the Ethiopian embassy in London and an advisory group from the Ethiopian community and historians, members of the Orthodox Tewahedo Church, members of the Anglo-Ethiopian society and representatives from the Rastafarian community.

This paper, presented by the curator of the display, will discuss the challenges and lessons learned from developing a display of this nature, which aims to encourage a dialogue about objects collected during historic periods of conflict and promote discussion about access to these collections in museums today.