Egypt's Antiquities Ministry has banned any future dealings with the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio, United States, after the museum sold several Egyptian, Cypriot and Italian artifacts at two auctions held at Christie’s.
The ministry said that sale violates the International Council of Museums (ICOM) code of ethics, since at least some of the artifacts were the property of foreign governments, including Egypt.
Shaaban abdel Gawad, general supervisor of the restored monuments department, said the ministry will not deal with Toledo Museum or any of its workers or missions after it violated the ICOM code of conduct.
Gawad said the auction sale also conflicts with the ICOM message, which considers museums as cultural, artistic and enlightening edifices for the peoples of the world.
Efforts are still ongoing to stop the sale and return the Egyptian artifacts through diplomatic channels, he said, stressing that the ministry will never be slack in seeking to retrieve examples of Egyptian cultural heritage.
Toledo Museum earlier announced that it would be selling several items, including relics that belong to the ancient Egyptian civilization in two auctions on October 19th and 25th.
The Antiquities Ministry urged UNESCO and ICOM to stop the sale, in coordination with the Egyptian Embassy in the United States.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
