Return of Archaeological Cultural Property to Egypt from the Netherlands

The three archaeological objects, which had been unlawfully exported from Egypt, were returned thanks to the joint efforts of the Dutch police, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service, the Information and Heritage Inspectorate, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various Egyptian and Dutch experts. All items were willingly transferred by their owners for return. The return of these objects symbolises the close cooperation between the Dutch and Egyptian authorities on protecting and preserving cultural heritage.

The objects were recovered during different investigations. Two objects – a shabti for Ipethemetes from Thebes, believed to date from c. 664-525 BC (26^th dynasty), and a painting of the goddess Isis from c. 30 BC – 642 AD (Roman period) – were unlawfully exported from Egypt after 2014. Thanks to investigations by the Dutch police, these objects were discovered in the ownership of a Dutch art dealer. Following discussions, they were willingly transferred to the Dutch government and have now been returned to Egypt by the Inspectorate, in accordance with the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. A third object, a mummified head dating from approximately 170-45 BC, had been in a collection in the Netherlands for many years. No photograph available as it concerns human remains.Following contact with the police the heir of the collector transferred the object and agreed to its return.

These archaeological objects are important to Egyptian cultural heritage. Egypt, one of the oldest civilisations in the world, has a rich history dating back to around 3300 BC. The country has a wealth of cultural heritage, including stelae, papyruses with magical texts, painted sarcophagi, jewellery and sculptures. The extraordinary funerary complexes with pyramids at Memphis and Saqqara are especially well known. The country's cultural riches put it at risk of illegal excavations, theft and plundering. International cooperation is the only way to combat these threats and ensure that unlawfully exported objects are returned to their country of origin. In the case of two of the objects returned, the provenance documentation contained strong indications that they had been unlawfully exported.

Main Image: Photo left: Painting from a sarcophagus with a representation of the goddess Isis, Roman period (c. 30 BC-642 AD), L 920mm, W 620mm, H 35mm (frame measurements). Photo right: Faience shabti for Ipethemetes: a small statue with the inscription ‘Illumination of Osiris, Ipethemetes, born of Hathoremakhet, justified.’ Thebes, Egypt, 26th dynasty (c. 664-525 BC), L 159mm, W 42mm, H 27mm.