EGYPT CALLED ON THE U.K. TO STOP CHRISTIE’S FROM SELLING A STATUE OF KING TUTANKHAMUN.

Benjamin Sutton

An Egyptian brown quartzite head of the god Amen with the features of pharaoh King Tutankhamun, New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reign of Tutankhamun, ca. 1333–1323 B.C.E. Est. above £4 million. Courtesy Christie’s.

Egypt is calling on Britain to stop Christie’s from selling a more than 3,000-year-old sculpture of King Tutankhamun rendered as the God Amen next month in London, where it is expected to fetch over £4 million ($5.1 million).

The Egyptian embassy in London is calling for the artifact’s return to Egypt and, according to a statement cited by the AFP, has sought UNESCO’s help in stopping its sale along with all sales of Egyptian artifacts planned for its London salesroom in early July. Egypt’s foreign ministry underlined the importance of obtaining ownership certificates before the sale of such items.

An Egyptian brown quartzite head of the god Amen with the features of pharaoh King Tutankhamun, New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reign of Tutankhamun, ca. 1333–1323 B.C.E. Est. above £4 million. Courtesy Christie’s.

Egypt is calling on Britain to stop Christie’s from selling a more than 3,000-year-old sculpture of King Tutankhamun rendered as the God Amen next month in London, where it is expected to fetch over £4 million ($5.1 million).

The Egyptian embassy in London is calling for the artifact’s return to Egypt and, according to a statement cited by the AFP, has sought UNESCO’s help in stopping its sale along with all sales of Egyptian artifacts planned for its London salesroom in early July. Egypt’s foreign ministry underlined the importance of obtaining ownership certificates before the sale of such items.

https://www.artsy.net/news/artsy-editorial-egypt-called-uk-christies-selling-statue-king-tutankhamun