epa08819632 An archaeologist works on an artifact as sarcophaguses are presented to the media near the newly discovered burial site at Saqqara Necropolis in Giza, Egypt, 14 November 2020. The large number of colored human coffins are more than 2,500 years old, aoccording to Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. EPA/Mohamed Hossam 
The artefact in question, which depicts a senior official from the 1479–1425 BC reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III, is believed to have been stolen and illegally exported, most likely during the unrest of the 2011 Arab Spring, before appearing on the international art market.
The "historic cultural artifact (was) confiscated at a Dutch art fair" in Maastricht in 2022, Schoof said, after someone anonymously tipped off the authorities about its illicit origin.
An investigation by Dutch police and the cultural heritage inspectorate confirmed that the sculpture had been plundered and unlawfully removed from Egypt. The dealer who had the piece voluntarily surrendered it following the inquiry.
The Dutch government said they expect to hand over the artefact to the Egyptian ambassador in the Netherlands by the end of this year, although no specific date has been set.
(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Hugh Lawson)