Netherlands to return stolen ancient sculpture to Egypt

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The Netherlands has said it will return a stolen 3,500-year-old sculpture to Egypt. It had turned up in 2022 at The European Fine Art Foundation arts and antiques fair in Maastricht and, following an anonymous tip-off, Dutch authorities determined it had been stolen and exported illegally. The dealer, who is unnamed, voluntarily relinquished the sculpture. It is "highly likely" the stone head, dating from the time of Pharaoh Thutmose III pharaohs, plundered during the Arab Spring in either 2011 or 2012, according to the Dutch Information and Heritage Inspectorate. The Dutch government said it expected to hand the stone head over to the Egyptian ambassador to the Netherlands at the end of this year. "The Netherlands is committed both nationally and internationally to ensuring the return of heritage to its original owners," it said.

Dearbail Jordan, 'Netherlands to return stolen ancient sculpture to Egypt' BBC 2/11/2025.