The artefact was officially handed over to the Egyptian embassy in the Netherlands following coordinated legal and diplomatic efforts involving Egyptian, Dutch, and Spanish authorities.
The recovery comes amid strengthened international cooperation to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property.
The return follows the recent state visit of the Dutch prime minister to Egypt for the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, during which he met with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. During the meeting, the Dutch prime minister reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Egypt’s efforts to recover antiquities that were moved out of the country unlawfully.
A formal handover ceremony was held in The Hague, where Egypt’s ambassador to the Netherlands signed the official delivery report with the Dutch minister of education, culture, and science.
Senior Dutch officials and the Spanish ambassador to the Netherlands attended the event, highlighting the high level of international coordination behind the recovery.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy said the return of the statue head reflects the strong cooperation between Egypt and the Netherlands and their shared commitment to international agreements aimed at protecting cultural heritage and preventing illegal trafficking.
He stressed that Egypt remains determined to recover its unlawfully removed antiquities and to protect its cultural legacy for future generations, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international partners.
The minister also highlighted the role of Spain, particularly the Spanish National Police, in uncovering falsified ownership documents linked to the artefact, pointing to the importance of international cooperation in addressing cultural property trafficking.
Hisham El-Leithy, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, described the recovery as another success in Egypt’s ongoing efforts to repatriate its antiquities, noting that it reflects the state’s continued commitment to safeguarding its heritage in cooperation with international partners.
According to Shaaban Abdel Gawad, director-general of the General Administration for Repatriated Antiquities, preliminary examinations show that the statue head dates to the New Kingdom period, specifically the reign of Thutmose III. The artefact was identified in 2022 after it appeared at the TEFAF art fair in Maastricht, prompting Dutch authorities to seize it and begin legal proceedings.
The decision to return the artefact was formally conveyed by Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof to President El-Sisi in November 2025 on the sidelines of the Grand Egyptian Museum’s opening. Egyptian officials said the case received direct presidential attention and follow-up.
The Netherlands is a signatory to the 1970 UNESCO Convention on preventing the illegal import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property, which Egypt ratified in 1973.
Officials from both countries said the successful recovery shows how international legal frameworks can work effectively when combined with political will and institutional cooperation.
The recovery supports Egypt’s broader efforts to reclaim its scattered heritage and serves as a model for voluntary restitution through diplomatic and legal channels.
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