Britain to loan back Ghana’s looted ‘crown jewels’ 150 years after they were ‘stolen’ from Asante King’s court, which could pave the way for the return of the Elgin Marbles

Britain is to loan back some of Ghana’s ‘crown jewels’, 150 years after they were ‘stolen’ from the court of an Asante king.

The 32 pieces of Asante Gold, named after the African empire from which they were taken, will be returned to the country from the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) and the British Museum.

The items will be given to Otumfo Osei Tutu II – the current king of Asante – and not to the Ghanaian government, on a three-year loan agreement with the option to extend for another three years.

The move is seen as a way for museums – some of which are prohibited by law from returning disputed items – to return them to their countries of origin.

It is believed that the historic loan agreement could create a path for other controversial objects, such as the Elgin Marbles, to return to the places they came from.

A total of 32 gold Asante objects will be loaned to the current king for three years, including this gold Asante torc (left) and ring (right).

However, it is believed that some countries may be reluctant to use this route as it could be used to confirm Britain’s ownership of the items.

The Asante gold, which was taken from the African kingdom in the 19th century, will be returned under pressure from Osei Tutu, who attended the coronation of King Charles III last year.

Tristram Hunt, a former Labor MP and now director of the V&A, said they were like “our crown jewels”.

The V&A is lending seventeen pieces, while the British Museum is lending fifteen. BBC that when it comes to ‘objects that have their origins in war and plunder during military campaigns, we have a responsibility to the countries of origin to think about how we can distribute them more fairly today’.

‘It doesn’t seem to me that all our museums will perish if we build these kinds of partnerships and exchanges.’

He insisted that it was not a “back door refund”, and that the items would be put on display at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, the capital of the Asante region, as part of the silver jubilee celebrations of the king.

The items, which include a state sword, gold badges worn by officials, as well as ceremonial caps and pipes, are believed to be encrusted with spirits of former Asante kings.

The Asante, also known as the Ashanti, are a people who ruled much of modern-day Ghana between 1700 and 1900.

A gold-model Asante harp, donated to the British Museum in the early 19th century, will be on loan

Like a sword of state taken from the royal court after conflicts between the British Empire and the Asante Empire

A ceremonial pipe that will be transferred as part of the agreement, which can be extended for another three years if both parties agree

There have been suggestions that a similar agreement could be used to return the Elgin Marbles (pictured) to Greece

The Asante Empire acquired enormous wealth through its gold and agricultural trades, while also participating in the slave trade.

Between 1824 and 1900, the empire was involved in five conflicts with the British Empire and its African allies as it attempted to wrest control over the coastal areas of modern-day Ghana.

While Asante won some, British success in the fourth and fifth conflicts saw them annex the empire and burn down the capital, Kumasi.

The city and royal palace were subsequently plundered, with the gold and other artefacts sold or given to Britain as reparations for the costs of the wars.

It is believed that a similar agreement could be used to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece, while at the same time guaranteeing that they would be returned to Britain.

However, the terms of the deal state that the country receiving the items confirms that they belong to Britain, something that has been a sticking point for Greek officials.

A source at the British Museum told the Telegraph that they were ‘working to strengthen our relationship with our colleagues in Greece’.

They added: ‘We are still investigating whether there is an arrangement that would do that admit some of the Parthenon sculptures to travel to Greece… Maybe we won’t succeedpersevere and come to an agreement, but believe it is worth finding a way to mutual benefitT.’

Former Chancellor George Osborne, chairman of the British Museum trustees, has previously said he is looking for a ‘practical, pragmatic and rational way forward’.