article_snippet: But Northampton Borough Council was accused of committing ‘a great act of folly’ by The Save Sekhemka Statue Action group, who feared the relic could disappear into private ownership overseas.
article_snippet: But in July last year the council sold off the piece, which the council have owned for more than 100 years, insisting the council wasn’t the centrepiece of the council collection.
article_snippet: The Egyptian government called on the statue to be returned to Egypt if Northampton did not want The Egyptian government, and said the sale ran counter to the values and role of museums worldwide.
article_snippet: At first, tomb statues - a sign of wealth - were reserved for the royal family.
article_snippet: it sale in July last year - a bid to raise money to extend Northampton's museum and art gallery - was heavily criticised.
highlights_snippet: But some feared the relic could disappear into private ownership overseas .
  