Thutmose III Era Statue Head Repatriated to Egypt From the Netherlands

A granodiorite statue head dating to the reign of King Thutmose III has been repatriated from the Netherlands, following coordinated legal and diplomatic efforts involving Dutch and Spanish authorities.

The artefact was formally handed over to Egypt’s embassy in The Hague during an official ceremony attended by senior Dutch officials and the Spanish ambassador. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said the return reflects international cooperation to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property. Preliminary examinations conducted by the Supreme Council of Antiquities date the statue head to the New Kingdom period, during the reign of Thutmose III.

The artefact was identified in 2022 after appearing at an art fair in Maastricht, prompting Dutch authorities to seize it and initiate legal proceedings. Subsequent investigations uncovered falsified ownership documents linked to the piece, with the Spanish National Police playing a key role in uncovering the irregularities.

Officials said the repatriation forms part of ongoing efforts to recover antiquities removed unlawfully through cooperation with international partners. 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.