A gold star medal, originally belonging to Ras Desta Damtew, a prominent military leader during Ethiopia’s monarchy era, has become a focal point in the debate over colonial looting. The medal, which was taken following Ras Desta’s capture and execution by Italian forces in 1937, recently appeared in an auction catalog, prompting outrage from his descendants and heritage advocates.
According to a report in The Art Newspaper, the medal was listed by La Galerie Numismatique, a European auction house with branches in Bucharest, Lausanne, and Paris. The listing described it as part of “the estate of an Italian soldier who was present at the capture of the Prince,” referring to Ras Desta. The medal was priced between €60,000 and €90,000, and its grim provenance was promoted as a selling point. Despite the controversy, the medal failed to sell during the December 1 auction on liveauctioneers.com.
The auction has drawn strong criticism from Ras Desta’s family, who view the listing as a gross commodification of their ancestor’s legacy. “This is a medal taken from the dead body of our grandfather,” said Amaha Kassa, Ras Desta’s grandson, speaking from the United States. “Seeing it treated as a commodity is deeply upsetting.”
His sister, Laly Kassa, echoed this sentiment, calling the auction “an affront to history and decency.” She added, “Profiting from the spoils of colonial violence sends the wrong message. This medal belongs in an Ethiopian museum, not in private hands.”
The family has expressed a desire to reclaim the medal and ensure its preservation as part of Ethiopia’s cultural heritage, honoring the sacrifices of their grandfather and others who resisted Italy’s colonial aggression.
Ras Desta Damtew was a prominent Ethiopian military officer and provincial governor during the era of Emperor Haile Selassie. Leading the southern front against Benito Mussolini’s invading forces during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, he continued fighting even after the emperor went into exile. He was ultimately captured and executed in 1937. His name endures in Ethiopia, with institutions like a hospital in Addis Ababa commemorating his contributions.
As highlighted in The Art Newspaper, the medal’s story is part of a much larger issue of cultural artifacts taken during colonial occupations. Yemane Demissie, a New York University professor and filmmaker, noted that Italy’s forces looted countless treasures during their occupation of Ethiopia. “Many of these artifacts remain in Italian museums or private collections, where they serve as reminders of systemic colonial exploitation,” he explained.
For decades, Ethiopian authorities and cultural advocates have called for the return of looted heritage. The auction of Ras Desta’s medal illustrates the slow progress in addressing these demands and the ongoing commercialization of historical artifacts.
Despite appeals from both Ras Desta’s descendants and Ethiopian authorities, La Galerie Numismatique refused to cancel the sale. Christopher Marinello, founder of Art Recovery International and representative for the family, criticized the auction house’s handling of the issue. “This is stolen property with a clear colonial provenance,” he said, calling the auction’s refusal to cooperate “outrageous.”
Bogdan Stambuliu, an auctioneer for the firm, defended the listing, insisting the item’s provenance was legitimate. However, his offer to sell the medal back to the family for €61,595—a price close to its auction estimate—has been widely condemned as exploitative.
Abebaw Ayalew, director general of the Ethiopian Heritage Authority, denounced the sale, calling it a violation of Ethiopia’s cultural heritage. “This looted artifact must be returned,” he wrote in a formal appeal to the auction house, emphasizing the broader ethical obligation to repatriate stolen items.
As reported by The Art Newspaper, this case highlights the urgent need for greater accountability in the art and auction industries, as well as the importance of restitution in addressing the enduring scars of colonialism.
