Description
This paper takes a critical look at the narratives the British Museum makes about its position as the depository of universal, world cultural heritage. The paper first provides an international political history of the British Museum, situating it in the imperial cultural order of the early 19th century. I then discuss the role the Museum played in the British imperial project, as well as in the international cultural status competition Britain was engaged in with its rivals, first France, then also Germany. The paper analyzes in depth some of the strongest Museum claims about it being a "museum of the world, for the world" by looking in detail at the cases of the Parthenon Marbles, Benin Bronzes and other artifacts the Museum has been asked to restitute, but has steadfastly refused.
