The 3,500-year-old sculpture has now been officially handed back to Egyptian authorities.

Dutch police and cultural heritage inspectors confirmed the piece was unlawfully removed in 2011 and later surfaced on the international market, including TEFAF Maastricht in 2022, triggering an international investigation.

Investigators, with collaboration from the British Museum and the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, confirmed the sculpture is authentically Egyptian and most likely looted from Luxor, prompting its return under Egypt’s heritage law.

Egypt secured the repatriation under the UNESCO 1970 Convention, with both nations signatories, reinforcing obligations to prevent illicit export and to repatriate cultural objects when appropriate.

The sculpture’s surrender by Sycomore Ancient Art followed concerns raised about its provenance during an inquiry.

Egyptian authorities plan to display the relief, while stressing ongoing monitoring of artefacts in exhibitions or auctions to support tourism and the economy.

A formal handover ceremony occurred at the Egyptian embassy in The Hague on February 8, 2026, marking the return of the artifact.

Dutch Culture Minister Gouke Moes emphasized a policy of returning items that do not belong to their country of origin, noting the artefact was handed to the Egyptian ambassador, Emad Hanna.

The artefact is believed to depict a senior official from the Thutmose III reign (1479–1425 BC) and originated as part of a Luxor block statue.

A 3,500-year-old stone head depicting a high-ranking official from the Thutmose III era has been returned from the Netherlands to Egypt, after being looted around 2011 during the Arab Spring and later appearing on the international art market.

The artifact was identified as stolen during its appearance at TEFAF Maastricht in 2022 after provenance concerns were raised by dealers and experts, leading to police involvement.

Minister Moes expressed regret over looting and affirmed the stone head belongs in Egypt, not on the art market.