This statue of Sekhemka and his wife from the Old Kingdom's 5th Dynasty, 2300 B.C., was a gift from a sultan at the end of the 18th century. The statue has been the museum's centerpiece since 1849; certainly, the sale of this piece is significant, as Northampton will never get another one.
Egypt's antiquities service made its efforts in retrieving it, but with no argument, the most they can hope for is that they bought it or that it will be gifted to them. Now that the statue has been sold for L16 million, the non-issue of the responsibilities of museums should die down.
Museums are about making money, and then learning; you have to pay for the books. True, the city of Northampton has sold off a treasure, but hey, L16 million, departing has never been so sweet.
Notes:
Al Ahram
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