TMA Honored as Sole U.S. Venue for the Shield of Magdala

Eye On Art  |  10/16/2024 3:15 pm

In celebration of the Toledo Museum of Art’s (TMA) exhibition “Ethiopia at the Crossroads,” the Royal Ethiopian Trust has honored TMA as the sole U.S. venue for the display of the Shield of Magdala—an artifact of immense significance, looted following the Battle of Magdala during the 1868 British Expedition to Abyssinia. On view in Toledo for only three weeks, the shield will return to Ethiopia later this month for the first time in over 150 years. It will be displayed at the National Museum of Ethiopia. More information about the shield is available in the attached document.

What: Shield of Magdala 

When: On view until Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024  

Where: TMA, Green Building, Gallery 28 

Panel Discussion:  Returning the Shield of Magdala: A Conversation on Heritage and History, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2-5 p.m., GlasSalon, Glass Pavilion, TMA. His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, grandson of Emperor Haile Selassie I, and Ethiopian scholar Alula Pankhurst will explore how objects like the Shield of Magdala, along with others showcased in “Ethiopia at the Crossroads,” serve as powerful symbols of history, shaping collective memory and cultural identity. Sophie Ong, assistant director of strategic initiatives at TMA, will moderate the conversation. Visitors can register for this free event at toledomuseum.org/events.  

About the Toledo Museum of Art 
Established in 1901, the Toledo Museum of Art is a beloved cultural institution in Toledo, Ohio, and a global leader in the museum field. We believe that art transforms people’s lives and invites them to see differently. 

Admission to the museum is always free and is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and on certain holidays. 

The museum is located at 2445 Monroe St., one block off I-75 with exit designations posted. More information available at 419-255-8000 and toledomuseum.org.