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Netherlands Plans Returning Stolen Sculpture to Egypt
(MENAFN) The Netherlands has announced plans to return a 3,500-year-old sculpture, which had been stolen from Egypt.
According to the Dutch Information & Heritage Inspectorate, the stone head, dating back to the era of the pharaohs, was likely looted during the Arab Spring in 2011 or 2012.
A decade later, the artifact appeared at an arts and antiques fair in Maastricht, and after receiving an anonymous tip-off, Dutch authorities confirmed that it had been illegally exported and stolen.
The sculpture's return was promised by Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof during the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza this weekend.
The Dutch government emphasized that the sculpture, which represents a high-ranking official from Pharaoh Thutmose III's dynasty, holds significant cultural importance for Egypt’s identity.
The statue had been put up for sale at The European Fine Art Foundation fair in 2022. Upon learning about its illicit origins, the dealer chose to surrender the sculpture voluntarily.
The Dutch authorities have stated that they aim to return the stone head to the Egyptian ambassador to the Netherlands by the end of this year.
"The Netherlands is committed both nationally and internationally to ensuring the return of heritage to its original owners," the government added.
According to the Dutch Information & Heritage Inspectorate, the stone head, dating back to the era of the pharaohs, was likely looted during the Arab Spring in 2011 or 2012.
A decade later, the artifact appeared at an arts and antiques fair in Maastricht, and after receiving an anonymous tip-off, Dutch authorities confirmed that it had been illegally exported and stolen.
The sculpture's return was promised by Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof during the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza this weekend.
The Dutch government emphasized that the sculpture, which represents a high-ranking official from Pharaoh Thutmose III's dynasty, holds significant cultural importance for Egypt’s identity.
The statue had been put up for sale at The European Fine Art Foundation fair in 2022. Upon learning about its illicit origins, the dealer chose to surrender the sculpture voluntarily.
The Dutch authorities have stated that they aim to return the stone head to the Egyptian ambassador to the Netherlands by the end of this year.
"The Netherlands is committed both nationally and internationally to ensuring the return of heritage to its original owners," the government added.
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