The Netherlands has agreed to return a 3,500-year-old Egyptian sculpture to Egypt after the artifact was discovered and confiscated at a Dutch art fair. Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced the decision during his official visit to Egypt, where he met with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to discuss the repatriation of the stolen cultural treasure.
The ancient sculpture depicts a high-ranking official from the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III, who ruled Egypt from 1479 to 1425 BC during the New Kingdom period. Experts believe the precious artifact was stolen from Egypt and illegally exported from the country, most likely during the political turmoil and social unrest that occurred during the 2011 Arab Spring uprising. The piece eventually made its way into the international art market before being discovered in the Netherlands.
Dutch authorities confiscated the sculpture at an art fair in Maastricht in 2022 after receiving an anonymous tip about its questionable origins. Prime Minister Schoof explained that someone had contacted the authorities to report concerns about the artifact's legitimacy and potential illegal status. This tip prompted an official investigation into the sculpture's background and how it came to be at the Dutch art fair.
Following the anonymous report, Dutch police worked together with the country's cultural heritage inspectorate to conduct a thorough investigation into the sculpture's history. Their comprehensive inquiry confirmed that the artifact had indeed been plundered from Egypt and unlawfully removed from the country without proper authorization. The investigation revealed clear evidence that the piece was stolen cultural property that belonged to Egypt.
Once presented with the findings of the official investigation, the art dealer who possessed the sculpture cooperated fully with authorities. The dealer voluntarily surrendered the ancient artifact to Dutch officials without resistance, acknowledging the evidence presented by investigators. This cooperation helped facilitate the smooth recovery of the stolen cultural treasure.
The Dutch government has committed to returning the sculpture to Egyptian authorities by the end of this year, though no specific handover date has been established yet. Officials expect to present the artifact to the Egyptian ambassador in the Netherlands during the formal repatriation ceremony. This case represents another example of international cooperation in combating the illegal trade of stolen cultural artifacts and returning precious historical items to their countries of origin.
