Opposition councillors at a Northampton Borough Council meeting proposed a motion to keep an ancient Egyptian statue in Northampton.
The council has previously stated it wanted to sell the funerary monument, valued at £2m and depicting a high official called Sekhemka in the old kingdom of dynastic Egypt c.2400 BC, to raise funds for “the restoration of Delapre Abbey, improvements to the museum service and/or other cultural or heritage projects”.
Councillors Brendan Glynane proposed and Sally Beardsworth seconded a motion at the meeting on 15 July stating: “The council notes that the Sekhemka statue and associated collections were a gift to the people of Northampton; the terms of the gift were to that the collections should be exhibited ‘freely to the public’ of the town;
“the administration’s failure to properly look into the terms of the gift or to consult with interested local groups has caused confusion, anger and alienation across a broad spectrum of the community, as well as jeopardising the future availability of these important historical pieces to the people of the town.
“The council resolves to end the speculation resolving the sale of the Sekhemka statue, and reassure the residents of Northampton and other interested parties that the statue will remain on display for people to view and enjoy.
"The council further resolves to review its consultation process to ensure that it is working with community groups, friends groups and the general populous rather than alienating them and undermining community involvement."
Museums Journal revealed earlier this year that the council faces a legal challenge from Spencer Compton, the 7th Marquess of Northampton, over the ownership of its Egyptian and geological collections, including the Sekhemka statue, which Compton believe belong to him under the terms of a deed of gift signed by Northampton’s town clerk and the 4th Marquis in 1880.
But following the council meeting a council spokesman told Museums Journal that the intention is still to dispose of the statue, and discussions are ongoing with Lord Northampton’s legal advisers.
The council has previously stated it wanted to sell the funerary monument, valued at £2m and depicting a high official called Sekhemka in the old kingdom of dynastic Egypt c.2400 BC, to raise funds for “the restoration of Delapre Abbey, improvements to the museum service and/or other cultural or heritage projects”.
Councillors Brendan Glynane proposed and Sally Beardsworth seconded a motion at the meeting on 15 July stating: “The council notes that the Sekhemka statue and associated collections were a gift to the people of Northampton; the terms of the gift were to that the collections should be exhibited ‘freely to the public’ of the town;
“the administration’s failure to properly look into the terms of the gift or to consult with interested local groups has caused confusion, anger and alienation across a broad spectrum of the community, as well as jeopardising the future availability of these important historical pieces to the people of the town.
“The council resolves to end the speculation resolving the sale of the Sekhemka statue, and reassure the residents of Northampton and other interested parties that the statue will remain on display for people to view and enjoy.
"The council further resolves to review its consultation process to ensure that it is working with community groups, friends groups and the general populous rather than alienating them and undermining community involvement."
Museums Journal revealed earlier this year that the council faces a legal challenge from Spencer Compton, the 7th Marquess of Northampton, over the ownership of its Egyptian and geological collections, including the Sekhemka statue, which Compton believe belong to him under the terms of a deed of gift signed by Northampton’s town clerk and the 4th Marquis in 1880.
But following the council meeting a council spokesman told Museums Journal that the intention is still to dispose of the statue, and discussions are ongoing with Lord Northampton’s legal advisers.
