Nefertiti, from Akhetaten (modern Tell el-Amarna) Dynasty 18, c. 1348-1336/5 BCE. Limestone, height 20". Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Agyptisches Museum.
Egypt demands but Germany declines a three-month loan of the priceless Bust of Nefertiti to be put on display in the new Grand Egyptian Museumscheduled to open in 2012 near the site of the Great Pyramids at Giza, outside Cairo. This request raises issues again of whether originating countries have any claim to their artworks when the artwork passed to new ownership through suspect contracts. This bust was found in an ancient artist's studio by German archeologists and taken back to Germany under a 1913 agreement.
The director of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Zahi Hawass, told German journalists that if the 3-month loan is approved, he would return it at the end of the period: "We respect all our contracts and agreements -- after all, we are not living in the 12th century. Of course the bust would go back to Germany after three months".
However, if the loan is not approved, Hawass warned "we will change our tune," saying Egypt could potentially ally with countries such as China, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Syria and Iraq "to put together a wish list of artifacts that we would like returned from abroad". Culture Minister Bernd Neumann has rejected this request claiming the sculpture is too fragile and valuable to be transported.
Link: From news.sawf.org - Egypt demands loan of Nefertiti bust for museum opening .
Link: Nefertiti Bust "museum quality" reproduction available at eMuseumStore.com
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