As an Egyptian-American and a clock and Tiffany window collector, I was upset to read the story about the tussle over an Egyptian sarcophagus owned by Exelon CEO John Rowe (“King Tut tiff ends in truce; Sponsor’s CEO will move ancient Egyptian coffin from office to Field,” Metro, May 26). Zahi Hawass, secretary general of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, learned that Rowe displayed the 2,600-year-old sarcophagus in his office and demanded that the artifact be made available for public display. Hawass says that no one has a right to have an artifact like the Rowe sarcophagus in his office or home.
Hawass does not understand the role of collectors of antiques, antiquities and other rare objects. He paints a picture of greedy, selfish hoarders who snatch items out of the hands of museums and hide them from the public.
This is not the case. Collectors are integral to the preservation of artifacts and the building of important collections.
The cornerstone of almost every museum in the world is collections of objects and artifacts that were donated by private citizens.
These collectors scour the globe for reputable auction houses and dealers, and purchase, preserve and store the items.
In some cases, when an individual assembles a world-class collection, he or she opens a museum as a venue for public access to the artifacts, such as the Getty or the Terra Museum of American Art.
The highest official in the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities tried to bully a private citizen over a legally purchased artifact. It was legal to sell Egyptian antiquities in Egypt until the 1920s. While Egyptian policy has changed, it is not fair now to make demands about Egyptian artifacts in private collections that are not displayed in museums.
While I agree that items that were stolen should be returned to Egypt’s care, the burden of proof to show the item was stolen lies with the Egyptian authorities.
It seems ironic that justice is sought for Egyptian antiquities, while justice clearly is not the rule in Egypt. A Tribune editorial on May 28 asked why so much effort was being spent on a sarcophagus while Ayman Nour, a man whose only crime was running for president, rots in jail. In addition to Nour’s plight, Egypt’s 10 million Coptic Christians suffer daily injustices and humiliation for their faith, and Egypt’s jails are filled with people whose only crime is not thinking like the government.
It would have been better had the sarcophagus been left in Rowe’s care. Instead, because of Hawass’ grandstanding, the sarcophagus will probably languish in museum storerooms overshadowed by grander Egyptian artifacts, never to be appreciated again.
