#Stolen Diamonds

[reasoningdaily]

JOHANNESBURG – The dazzling Cullinan diamonds, set in King Charles’s sceptre and Queen Camilla’s crown, find themselves at the centre of a global conversation over the legacy of colonial occupation and repatriation.

At 3,106 carats, the Cullinan Diamond remains the largest rough diamond ever found. The subsequent cutting and polishing of the diamond produced nine major stones, including the Great Star of Africa and the Second Star of Africa, which now grace the sceptre and crown, respectively.

The discovery in 1905 at the Premier Mine near Pretoria, South Africa, marked a momentous occasion in the history of South Africa’s mining industry.

Part of the British Crown Jewels, the gems are a testament to the mineral wealth of South Africa – and the practice of the removal of such wealth, which continues in some form or another to this day, according to Everisto Benyera, Professor of African Politics at the University of South Africa and ardent decolonialist.

“Each monarchy, each epoch is kicking the can down the road,” he told i.

The history of mining in South Africa is inextricably linked with colonialism and exploitation, generating massive wealth for the few while workers, mainly Africans, were subject to forced labour, harsh and dangerous working conditions and environmental destruction, the ramifications of which are still felt in the country today in wealth inequality and the piles of mine dumps that dot much of the land.

Such was their value when discovered, the Cullinan diamonds were transported out of the country and to the United Kingdom by sleight of hand, with the public believing them to be under heavy armed guard and travelling via steamship. In reality, they were sent by registered mail in a tin, ensuring their safe arrival in Britain and transformation into a prominent symbol of imperial wealth and power.

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More than a century later, the Cullinan diamonds are again glimmering in the limelight. Global discourse has changed, and increasingly front and centre are contentions of reparation. While the diamonds were gifted to King Edward VII by the Transvaal Colony, then under British rule, the gesture is now viewed by some as a symbol of colonial exploitation.

“Cullinan is named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, who was the Chairperson of the mine – he was not one of us, he was a coloniser,” said Professor Benyera. “That diamond was given to the British monarchy by the Transvaal government as a token of appreciation for self-government granted by the British monarchy… You give us self-rule, and we give you this gem.”

He, like many critics, argues that returning the diamonds to South Africa would be a powerful acknowledgement of the country’s turbulent past and its ongoing struggle for justice. “The least they could have done was remove [the diamonds] from the regalia, acknowledge it – then we can talk. If you steal from someone and continue to believe it is yours, you are justifying the theft.”

Proponents of repatriation see the diamonds as an essential part of their cultural heritage. Soon after Her Majesty’s death, nearly 8,000 people signed a petition demanding their return. One South African MP and head of the African Transformation Party (ATM), Vuyo Zungula, went further on Twitter, arguing for the return of “all the gold, diamonds stolen by Britain” – a perspective that is increasingly shared in the post-colonial world.

By the time the Cullinan diamond was discovered, South Africa was producing over a quarter of the globe’s gold, much of it making its way to the United Kingdom.

“The United Kingdom must acknowledge that they violated our human rights,” Mr Zungula told i. “Our position is that the mineral wealth in South Africa belongs to the People of South Africa not British Palace. We want our diamond back or its monetary value.”

The Crown maintains that the diamonds were a gift, and returning them would set a precedent for the repatriation of numerous other artefacts – a legitimate fear, but some argue a just consequence, even if it should have far-reaching implications for museums and collections worldwide.

The Crown’s reluctance to return the diamonds is a symbol of the unwillingness of former colonial powers to address the legacies of their past actions, according to Professor Benyera. “For them, I think the fear is that they do not want to face the totality of their dark history. The fact that they refuse to remove the Cullinan diamond from off their regalia states that they still view us as colonial subjects.”

Indeed, Queen Camilla decided not to wear the Koh-i-noor diamond in her crown for the coronation, one of the crown jewels claimed by India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.

The diamonds are emblematic of broader discussions on post-colonial reparations and the global shrinking importance of monarchies. As countries grapple with the legacy of colonialism, the question of who owns cultural artefacts looms large. In some cases, the repatriation of significant items has served as a symbolic act of reconciliation and healing – such is the case of the return of the Benin bronzes to Nigeria, sparking a strong sense of cultural pride and highlighting the import of historical injustices.

As the coronation approaches, the Cullinan diamonds will again be on display for the world to admire. Yet, behind their dazzling brilliance lies a complex history fraught with colonialism, subterfuge, and competing claims. The debate over their repatriation serves as a potent reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and the importance of confronting the past to forge a more equitable future.

Similar requests for repatriation of precious stones and historical artefacts have been made by many former British colonies.

As King Charles and Queen Camilla ascend the throne, the world awaits not only the ceremonial traditions, but also the unfolding discourse on justice between nations with intertwined, if painful histories

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"ALLEGED DIAMOND THIEF IN TOILS," Winnipeg Tribune. January 29, 1913. Page 1. --- Horace Dixon Charged With Stealing Jewels of Woman at Whose House He Stayed ---- Horace Dixon, a recent arrival from the United States is held in the cells at the city police station charged with stealing $270 worth of diamonds. He was arraigned this morning before Magistrate Macdonald but was remanded until tomorrow.

The story as told the police by Mrs. Alfred Johnson, is that the complainant, Dixon was lodged at her house for the night and was heard moving around the rooms at a very late hour or early hour of the morning. The following morning Mrs. Johnson fearing that there was some reason for Dixon's nocturnal perambulations went to a room where under the mattress of the bed she was in the habit of secreting her jewelry, comprising several large diamonds in expensive settings. She lifted the mattress and found not a stone left. Suspicion naturally was directed to Dixon and the police put on his trail. He was arrested by Detectives Batho and Tracy last evening and the jewelry was recovered.

[alphie-in-the-sky]

[fruiteggsaladit]

Headcanon that Kurama's battle outfits (the cheongsam/minguo-inspired things with the weird long vest?? thing) are Spirit Office mandated work uniforms

[electoons]

when I think about how many nice valuable items I have misplaced over the years it really makes me want to kill myself unironically

[elspethdixon]

Morgoth Imageboard/Moodboard

(Again, technically for Angbang week but didn’t fit any prompts)

I am Melkor, the Elder King who was before the world, and made it

[midwestcannibal]

shoutout to the smithsonian just Having the fucking hope diamond btw. that was wild

[ironychan]

On behalf of the Puppet History fandom I would like to thank France for being fucking bananas.

[kleefkruid]

I still have comics from when I was 10-12 years old, about me and my classmates. I would draw them in class and my teachers (being the last encouraging forces in my education sadly) would photocopy them and hand them out to everyone.

Reason I'm thinking about this is that it would be pretty funny to one day, when I have really solid comic book skills, to redraw them frame by frame, making the art really good but keeping the exact dialogue and plot 11 year old me came up with.

[smookiekuma]

[VERSION 8: DIGITAL]

Yes, I am obsessed with Blue back then.

[reasoningdaily]

A ceremonial cap worn by courtiers at coronations is among the items now on display in Kumasi

African countries have repeatedly called for the return of looted items with some regaining ownership over precious historical artefacts in recent years.

Looted artefacts from the Asante kingdom are finally on display in Ghana, 150 years after British colonisers took them.

Ghanaians flocked to the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, the capital of Asante region, to welcome the 32 items home.

"This is a day for Asante. A day for the Black African continent. The spirit we share is back," said Asante King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

At this stage the items have only been loaned to Ghana for three years.

This loan can be extended, but only with the approval of the British culture secretary.

The agreement is between two British museums - the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) and British Museum - and the Asante king, not the Ghanaian government.

The Asante king, or Asantehene, is seen as a symbol of traditional authority, and is believed to be invested with the spirits of his predecessors. But his kingdom is now part of Ghana's modern democracy.

"Our dignity is restored," Henry Amankwaatia, a retired police commissioner and proud Asante, told the BBC, over the hum of jubilant drumming.

The neck ring or 'kanta' (R) was worn by the king at important funerals

The V&A is lending 17 pieces while 15 are from the British Museum.

The return of the artefacts coincides with the silver jubilee celebration of the Asantehene.

A guide to Africa's 'looted treasures'

UK to loan back Ghana's looted 'crown jewels'

Some of the items, described by some as "Ghana's crown jewels" were looted during the Anglo-Ashanti wars of the 19th Century, including the famous Sargrenti War of 1874.

Other items like the gold harp (Sankuo) were given to a British diplomat in 1817.

"We acknowledge the very painful history surrounding the acquisition of these objects. A history tainted by the scars of imperial conflict and colonialism," said Dr Tristam Hunt, director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, who has travelled to Kumasi for the ceremony.

The display is part of the silver jubilee celebrations of Asante King Otumfo Osei Tutu II

Among the returned artefacts are the sword of state, gold peace pipe and gold badges worn by officials charged with cleansing the soul of the king.

"These treasures have borne witness to triumph and trials of the great kingdom and their return to Kumasi is testament to the power of cultural exchange and reconciliation" said Dr Hunt.

One of the returned items, the sword of state, also called the "mpompomsuo sword" holds great significance for the Asante people.

It serves as a sword of office that is used in swearing the oath of office to the kingdom by paramount chiefs and the king himself.

Royal historian Osei-Bonsu Safo-Kantanka told the BBC that when the items were taken from the Asante it took away "a portion of our heart, our feeling, our whole being".

This gold headpiece known as "krononkye" was used when royalty was grieving

The midnight knife (L) was used for covert operations. The gold badges (R) were worn by the king's soul washers

The return of the artefacts is as controversial as it is significant.

Under UK law, national museums like the V&A and British Museum are banned from permanently giving back contested items in their collections, and loan deals such as this are seen as a way to allow objects to return to their countries of origin.

Some countries laying claim to disputed artefacts fear that loans may be used to imply they accept the UK's ownership.

Many Ghanaians feel the ornaments should remain permanently. However, this new arrangement is a way to overcome British legal restrictions.

African countries have repeatedly called for the return of looted items with some regaining ownership over precious historical artefacts in recent years.

You may also be interested in:

Top Belgian museum rethinks its Africa relationship

'My great-grandfather sculpted the Benin Bronzes'

France gives back sword of anti-colonial fighter

[justatouchjaded]

[Image description: Diamond in two incarnations. The first is his original body, a light brown-skinned man with a beard, long black hair, and pierced ears. The second is a white-skinned man with curly gray hair, a sparse beard, and an eyepatch. End ID.]

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Doll maker

Tagged by: @archerwhiterp

Tagging: @zodiac--muses , @magicmonstersandmischief , @theovergrowth , @scxrytxles , @desertfragments , and anyone else who would like to!

[ckygetsjobs]

ponce is literally falcone if he had long hair and if his diamond bike got stolen. Like he’s just him with anger issues and a more fucked up life lmao. I don’t care though, bring them both to me, I’d fuck either one, or both at the same time.

[anon-e-has-a-tmblr]

I'm a tiktik influense....

[clawsextended]

if you have $$$$ yes selina will care, but if you have rare artifacts and precious jewelry, she’s way more the fuck likely to care.

[a-random-whovian7]

Plus, the photograph is horribly lit, which just makes that already horrendous shade of purple look even worse and causes you to lose all of the detail on the jewellery. Like, you paid £12 million to keep Randy Andy out of the hands of law enforcement, and you can't even afford a decent photographer?