Netherlands returns 3,500-year-old looted sculpture to Egypt
THE HAGUE -- The Netherlands on Thursday returned a 3,500-year-old sculpture to Egypt after the looted artefact resurfaced at a Dutch art fair in 2022.
A 3,500-year-old granodiorite head sculpture, believed to be originated from Luxor in southern Egypt, depicting a senior official from the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III (1479–1425 BC), which the Dutch officials returned to Egypt after the looted artefact resurfaced at a Dutch art fair in 2022, in the Hague, Netherlands February 5, 2026. REUTERS/Milan Berckmans
An investigation by Dutch police and cultural heritage inspectorate confirmed in 2025 the sculpture had been plundered and unlawfully removed from Egypt, most likely during the Arab Spring unrest of 2011, before appearing on the international art market.
Experts believe the artefact, a stone head that was originally part of a block statue, originated from Luxor in southern Egypt. It depicts a senior official from the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III (1479–1425 BC).
Egyptian Ambassador to the Netherlands in The Hague, Emad Hanna and his wife Hayam Mikhail pose for a picture next to a 3,500-year-old granodiorite head sculpture, believed to be originated from Luxor in southern Egypt, depicting a senior official from the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III (1479–1425 BC), which the Dutch officials returned to Egypt after the looted artefact resurfaced at a Dutch art fair in 2022, in the Hague, Netherlands February 5, 2026. REUTERS/Milan Berckmans
It was confiscated in 2022 at an art fair in the Dutch city of Maastricht. Art dealer Sycomore Ancient Art, which had acquired the piece but had doubts about its provenance, voluntarily surrendered it following the inquiry.
"Our policy is to return what doesn't belong to us and to return it always to the rightful cultural group or country", Dutch Culture Minister Gouke Moes said in handing over the artefact to the Egyptian ambassador.
Egyptian Ambassador to the Netherlands in The Hague Emad Hanna stands next to a 3,500-year-old granodiorite head sculpture, believed to be originated from Luxor in southern Egypt, depicting a senior official from the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III (1479–1425 BC), which the Dutch officials returned to Egypt after the looted artefact resurfaced at a Dutch art fair in 2022, in the Hague, Netherlands February 5, 2026. REUTERS/Milan Berckmans
Egyptian Ambassador Emad Hanna said his country tracks artefacts that appear in exhibitions or auctions.
"It means a lot to us when it comes to tourism and economy, because at the end of the day, when tourists come to Egypt to see these things, it definitely makes a difference", Hanna said.
Egypt's plans to display the sculpture were not yet clear.
Art crime investigator at Limburg Police Frank Assendelft shakes hands with Egyptian Ambassador to the Netherlands in The Hague Emad Hanna, as they stand next to a 3,500-year-old granodiorite head sculpture, believed to be originated from Luxor in southern Egypt, depicting a senior official from the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III (1479–1425 BC), which the Dutch officials returned to Egypt after the looted artefact resurfaced at a Dutch art fair in 2022, in the Hague, Netherlands February 5, 2026. REUTERS/Milan Berckmans
Reuters
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