A plundered Egyptian relief dating from the 13th century BC has been secured for the UK after an art charity bought it on behalf of the British Museum, The Times Online reported.
The National Art Collections Fund took action after the government placed an export ban on the limestone stela, which is from the reign of Rameses II and was one of the finest in private ownership, said the London-based paper.
The nation had three months to find £82,507 to prevent it from going overseas. In view of its importance the art fund’s committee decided to finance the entire purchase, it said.
The stela, which dates back to 1220 BC, has been sold by the family of Edward Roger Pratt, of Ryston Hall, Norfolk, who brought it back to Britain in 1834.
The round-topped limestone tablet, about 3ft by 1½ft, is believed to have come from Abydos in Upper Egypt. It features the ibis-headed god Thoth, facing Osiris, Isis and Horus, together with a clear hieroglyphic text bearing a prayer to the gods – Albawaba.com
