Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 6, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 6, 2026
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The Netherlands returned a 3,500-year-old looted sculpture to Egypt, enhancing cultural ties and impacting tourism.
By Charlotte Van Campenhout and Milan Berckmans
THE HAGUE, Feb 6 (Reuters) - 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.
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).
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 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.
(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout, Milan Berckmans, A. Lennon; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
An artefact is an object made by a human being, typically of cultural or historical interest. In the context of finance and banking, artefacts can refer to valuable items that may be subject to ownership disputes or legal considerations.
Cultural heritage refers to the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society inherited from past generations. It includes monuments, objects, traditions, and practices that hold historical significance.
Provenance is the history of ownership of a valued object or work of art. It is crucial in establishing authenticity and legal ownership, especially in the art market and for cultural artefacts.
Tourism is the activity of traveling for pleasure or business. It significantly impacts economies by generating revenue through attractions, accommodations, and services for visitors.
A cultural group is a community of people who share common cultural characteristics, such as language, traditions, and values. These groups often have a shared history and identity.
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