Thomas Bridge 11 July 2014

Northampton BC under-fire after selling Egyptian statue for £16m

Northampton Borough Council has been heavily criticised for selling an ancient Egyptian statue to fund local museum improvements.

The 4,000-year-old limestone statue of Sekhemka – gifted to a local museum in the nineteenth century - was yesterday sold at auction by Christie’s for £15,762,500.

The borough council will retain £8m from the sale, while Lord Northampton will receive a further £6m.

A last minute legal challenge from the Egyptian Government failed to halt or postpone the sale.

Egyptian Ambassador Ahsraf Elkholy branded the deal ‘an abuse to the Egyptian archaeology and the cultural property’.

Before the auction, Elkholy told the BBC: ‘A museum should not be a store. Sekhemka belongs to Egypt and if Northampton Borough Council does not want it then it must be given back.’

Northampton will use the proceeds of the sale to help fund a major extension to its museum and art gallery. Work has already begun on developments at the site, which will be central to the development of Northampton’s cultural quarter.

Council leader Cllr David Mackintosh, said: ‘This money will allow us to realise our exciting plans for the future of the museum service.

‘Every penny is ring-fenced for the museum service and we will now make our museum redevelopment plans a reality.’

However the Arts Council today confirmed Northampton Museum could now lose accreditation following the sale. A decision on local compliance will be made later this month.

Scott Furlong, director of acquisitions exports loans collections unit at Arts Council England said it was ‘very disappointing’ that the council committed to the sale before concluding discussions with the body.

‘Those who choose to approach the sale of collections cynically or with little regard for the sectoral standards or their long-term responsibilities will only further alienate both key funders and the public who put their trust in them to care for our shared inheritance,’ Furlong said.

‘It is of great importance that the public retain trust in museums to look after the collections held in their name. We are concerned that this trust may be undermined if disposals from public collections are seen to be driven by financial considerations.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy)

North Northamptonshire Council
£46,731-£49,764
We are looking for an experienced professional to join North Northamptonshire Council as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy). Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering moving to Haylock House, Kettering Parkway, Kettering NN15 6EY, United Kingdom
Recuriter: North Northamptonshire Council

Highways Capital Delivery Manager

South Wales Trunk Road Agent
£50,788 - £52,805
To be responsible for the implementation of Welsh Government’s Renewal and Upgrade programme. Baglan, Port Talbot
Recuriter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Senior Engineer x 2

Hounslow London Borough Council
£47,532 –£55,620 per annum
Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to our residents, doing all we can to make lives as good as they can be. Hounslow (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recuriter: Hounslow London Borough Council

Part Time Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI Chelmsford

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI ChelmsfordFixed Term, Part Time£25,081 to £27,653 Per Annum, Full Time EquivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Head of SEN Assessment & Resolution

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£77136 - £88230 per annum
Shape a fairer future for children with special educational needs.As Head of SEN Assessment and Resolution at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chel England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Linkedin Banner