British museum to sell ancient Egyptian statue

The Ministry of Antiquities called on the Foreign Affairs Ministry to take the necessary steps against London's Northampton Museum for selling an ancient Egyptian statue of King "Sekhm Ka."

The sale is scheduled to take place through Christie's auction house next week.

The 4,500-year-old statue is made of colored limestone and dates back to the fifth dynasty.

According to state-owned news website Egynews, Minister of Antiquities Mamdouh al-Damaty stated that the ministry contacted the International Council of Museums (ICOM) denouncing the sale and requesting its immediate cancelation.

Damaty argued that ancient Egyptian heritage is not for sale, adding that if the Northampton has illegally acquired the statue, it does not legitimize its sale. Damaty added that a museum’s role is to preserve civilization and showcase different cultures, not make financial gains from them.

Antiquities expert Aly Ahmed added that the statue was given to the Northampton Museum as a gift in the 18th century, and has been part of its displayed collection since 1849. Ahmed said that it is likely that the statue was donated by an Ottoman king at the time.

Ahmed, also the head of the ministry's Recovered Antiquities Department, stated that a campaign was launched to stop the sale due to take place next Thursday. 200 signatures have been collected in the last 48 hours, since the page was launched on social media, the official added.

The sale is expected to raise more than £6 million for the museum. British media reports suggest that the money from the sale will be used in a restoration plan for the museum.