Netherlands returns 3,500-year-old looted Egyptian sculpture to Cairo
The Netherlands has officially returned a 3,500-year-old looted Egyptian sculpture, marking a significant moment in the ongoing effort to repatriate cultural artefacts to their countries of origin. The granodiorite stone head, believed to have been taken illegally out of Egypt during the unrest of the Arab Spring around 2011, was formally handed over to Egyptian officials in The Hague on Thursday.
Experts say the head was originally part of a block statue and depicts a senior official from the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III, who ruled from 1479 to 1425 BC—a period often regarded as the height of Egyptian power and influence in the ancient world. The artefact is thought to have originated near Luxor in southern Egypt, a region rich in archaeological treasures.
The sculpture first came to light in the Netherlands in 2022, when it appeared at the prestigious TEFAF art fair in Maastricht. Dutch police and cultural heritage authorities investigated its provenance after questions arose about its origins. The art dealer Sycomore Ancient Art, which had acquired the piece, voluntarily surrendered it to authorities once doubts about its legitimacy were raised.
Dutch Culture Minister Gouke Moes, speaking at the handover ceremony, said the move reflects the country’s longstanding policy of returning unlawfully obtained cultural property to its rightful owners. Egyptian Ambassador Emad Hanna welcomed the return, noting the importance of such artefacts for Egypt’s tourism and cultural identity. He stressed that tracking and reclaiming lost heritage remains a priority for his government.
At the time of the handover, Egypt had not announced specific plans for displaying the sculpture, although attention is likely to fall on major national institutions such as the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
The repatriation underscores growing international cooperation against the illicit trade in antiquities and highlights increased scrutiny of provenance in the global art market.
