Controversy Surrounds Auction of Slavery-Linked Neck Shackles

An antiques auction in Scotland is facing backlash for selling neck shackles associated with the enslavement of African people in Zanzibar. These chains, dated to 1780 and valued at approximately £1,000, are part of an auction titled “Challenging History,” which aims to confront historical injustices. The sale is organized by Marcus Salter of Cheeky Auctions in Tain, Ross, who asserts that the auction serves an educational purpose, allowing history to be confronted rather than ignored.

The Guardian

The neck irons are linked to the Omani-Arab dominated slave trade in East Africa, which persisted until the late 19th century, ending due to African resistance and British intervention. Salter contends that if such items were donated to museums, they might be stored away and never seen, arguing for their sale as a means of public engagement with history.

The Guardian

The auction has drawn significant criticism from various quarters. Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group for Afrikan reparations, condemned the sale, stating that it perpetuates profit from the slave trade. She expressed concern that trading in such items reduces them to mere collectibles, akin to human remains, rather than acknowledging their historical significance and the suffering they represent.

The Guardian

Retired lawyer Nigel Murray described the auction as "vile," emphasizing the painful irony of auctioning chains that symbolize the sale of enslaved individuals. He expressed anger at the notion of profiting from such a traumatic history, highlighting the ongoing financial benefits derived from slavery by descendants of plantation owners.

The Guardian

While there are no specific laws prohibiting the sale of items linked to slavery, legal expert Caecilia Dance noted that public sentiment is shifting towards favoring restitution and ethical stewardship of such artifacts. She suggested that the ideal approach would involve donating or loaning these items to museums that engage with affected communities, rather than commodifying trauma through auction sales.

The Guardian

Dance pointed out that the art trade has already begun to reject items with connections to Nazi looting, indicating a potential future trend toward similar ethical considerations for slavery-linked artifacts. The growing public interest in restitution reflects a broader societal movement towards acknowledging and addressing historical injustices.

The Guardian

Salter defended the auction by stating, “No matter what happens there’s going to be money made out of it from somewhere,” and emphasized the importance of educating the public about the full truth of history. He acknowledged the mixed reactions from the public, noting that some have boycotted the auction while others have engaged in discussions about its implications.

The Guardian

As the auction approaches, it remains to be seen how public opinion will influence the sale and whether it will spark further discussions on the ethics of trading in historical artifacts linked to slavery. The controversy highlights a growing awareness and sensitivity towards the legacy of slavery and its ongoing impact on society.

The Guardian