Northampton council to sell Egyptian statue - Museums Association

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Northampton council to sell Egyptian statue

Friends of Northampton Museums and Art Gallery oppose plan
Plans by Northampton Borough Council to sell an ancient Egyptian statue have been condemned.

A petition has been set up the Friends of Northampton Museums and Art Gallery in protest at the proposed sale of the statue of Sekhemka, dating from 2,500BC.

The organisation said the move would have a “detrimental effect on Northampton Museums, is against the intentions of the original donors and will, possibly, cause the museums to lose Accredited status”.



But Brandon Eldred, cabinet member for community engagement, said: “Unfortunately, we cannot keep the statue as it does not fit with our collection or the story of Northampton. And it is too valuable for us to ever display – the cost of insurance could take money from the rest of our collection.”

The sculpture was donated by the third marquess of Northampton. The council has sought legal advice over whether the proposed sale contravenes the terms of the original gift.

Maurice Davies, the Museums Association’s head of policy, said the MA’s ethics committee welcomed the fact that the council had sought advice.

“However, because plans for the expenditure of proceeds from a possible sale are still sketchy, the committee is not currently able to judge whether a sale is in the public interest and compatible with all the requirements of the code of ethics.”

The council insisted it would reinvest the money in cultural projects.

“Although no final decision has been made on where the money would be invested (to some extent it would be determined by how much was raised), the restoration of Delapre Abbey has been identified as a strong option,” said a council spokesman.

“The development of the museum and collection has also been mentioned as things that could benefit too.”

The council has submitted the proposal to its overview and scrutiny committee, and launched a public consultation.

Meanwhile, John Hannides, a Conservative councillor in Southampton, has proposed selling works from the city’s art collection to help fund a new Arts Quarter.

Hannides told local papers “in the tough financial climate... money that needs to be found for the arts complex can be found through selling art”.

However, a spokesman for the Labour-run council said Hannides’ proposal was not under consideration. 

Construction on the £21m project is due to start this year.

Correction: 03/10/2012

This story was amended to remove an incorrect reference to the Egyptian statue being part of Northampton's Designated collection. The Designated status for Northampton Museum and Art Gallery relates solely to the boot and shoe collection. The Egyptian collection, including this statue, does not form part of the Designated collection.


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