The Royal Artillery is under fire for its refusal to grant public access to a priceless artefact looted from the Asante kingdom in the 19th century. This golden ram’s head, a symbol of cultural heritage, remains shrouded in secrecy within the regiment’s officers’ mess at their barracks in Larkhill, Wiltshire, igniting outrage and calls for restitution from historians and advocates alike.
A Legacy of Looting
The golden ram’s head, measuring approximately 19 cm in width and adorned with spiralling horns, was among the treasures seized during the British military’s brutal campaign in the Asante state capital, Kumasi, in 1874. This act of plunder was part of a series of conflicts known as the Anglo-Asante wars, which saw the British not only loot but also raze the city and its royal palace to the ground. The commander of this military expedition would later boast, “I had shown the power of England,” as he returned to Britain with a bounty of cultural artefacts.
The treasures pillaged during these conflicts have largely found their way into various collections, including the prestigious Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Museum. Notably, in 2024, both institutions took a significant step by agreeing to return 32 pieces of gold court regalia to the Manhyia Palace Museum in Ghana, albeit on a long-term loan basis. Still, the Royal Artillery has opted to keep the most striking of these artefacts—the ram’s head—off-limits to the public.
Denied Access and Growing Controversy
Barnaby Phillips, a seasoned journalist and author, encountered resistance when he sought permission to examine the artefact for his upcoming book, “The African Kingdom of Gold: Britain and the Asante Treasure.” His request was met with a curt refusal, citing security concerns. Phillips remarked, “It’s an army institution holding the spoils of war, but they say it’s not safe to show it to me. That’s somewhat ironic.”
The Royal Artillery’s regimental secretary communicated that public access to the collection is limited due to insurance policies and security protocols. This has raised eyebrows among those who view the artefact as a vital piece of Asante history, deserving of public exhibition and recognition. “It has long been our policy, primarily on security grounds, not to allow public access to items held in the regiment’s private collection,” the secretary explained.
Calls for Restitution
Ivor Agyeman-Duah, a historian and director of the Manhyia Palace Museum, is working on behalf of the Asante king, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to negotiate the return of Asante artefacts held in British institutions. “We are interested in negotiating with the Royal Artillery,” Agyeman-Duah stated, expressing his hope to visit the officers’ mess during his next trip to England. He views the ram’s head as an iconic symbol of Asante heritage and cultural triumph.
The historical context surrounding the Anglo-Asante wars complicates the narrative further. These conflicts were driven by Britain’s insatiable quest for resources in West Africa, resisted fiercely by the Asante people, who regard gold objects as vessels of ancestral spirit. Furthermore, the British justified their campaigns under the guise of ending slavery, leading to a complex legacy that continues to resonate today.
The Weight of History
The Royal Artillery’s reluctance to showcase the ram’s head may stem from more than just security concerns. Phillips suggests that the regiment could be wary of the implications of a stand commissioned for the artefact in 1875, which depicts three black boys holding the ram aloft, an image that starkly contrasts with contemporary sensibilities. “It is also, from the perspective of the 21st century, in shockingly bad taste,” he asserted.
Moreover, the same military institution that holds the ram’s head is also home to another controversial piece—an ornate silver cross looted from a church during the 1868 expedition to Abyssinia. Such artefacts serve as stark reminders of the violent legacies of colonialism, raising ethical questions about their continued possession and display.
Why it Matters
The refusal of the Royal Artillery to allow public access to the Asante ram’s head highlights an ongoing struggle between historical accountability and the preservation of colonial legacies. As societies grapple with the consequences of their past, the demand for transparency and restitution grows louder. Artefacts like the golden ram’s head are more than mere trophies; they are embodiments of cultural identity and historical narratives that deserve to be acknowledged and shared. The lack of access to such significant items only perpetuates a cycle of erasure, making it imperative for institutions to confront their colonial past and facilitate a broader dialogue about heritage, ownership, and justice in the present day.