Ägypten

[Schneemann]

Das Thema "ägyptische Kunstschätze" bzw. des Umgangs mit Altertumsrelikten hatte ich hier im Strang schon einmal angesprochen. Nun wurde offenbar in London eine Statue aus frühdynastischer (d. h. altägyptischer) Zeit bei Christie's versteigert - es steht zu befürchten, dass dieser Kunstschatz in einer privaten Sammlung verschwindet. Nicht nur der ägyptische Botschafter in Großbritannien, sondern auch britische Aktionsgruppen haben gegen die Versteigerung protestiert...

Egyptian statue Sekhemka sells for nearly £16m

A 4,000-year-old Egyptian statue expected to raise about £6m has sold for £15.76m at Christie's of London. Northampton Borough Council auctioned the Sekhemka limestone statue to help fund a £14m extension to Northampton Museum and Art Gallery.

However, Arts Council England had warned the council its museum could lose its accreditation status. The Egyptian ambassador to Britain said the council should have handed the statue back if it did not want it. [...] He said: "Our objection starts from this basic principle: how can a museum sell a piece in its collection when it should be on display to the public?" The ambassador said: "We are concerned this piece may be moved into a private collection. [...] Protesters gathered outside Christie's before the sale said they wanted the statue to be returned to Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities. Sue Edwards, from the Save Sekhemka Action Group, who travelled from Northampton to the auction, said: "This is the darkest cultural day in the town's history."

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Schneemann.