Was This Artifact From King Tut’s Tomb? It’s for Sale Anyway.

The London auction house, Christie's, is set to sell an intricately carved grasshopper artifact, with an estimated price range of up to $675,000. However, the auction house acknowledges that there is "no documented evidence" that the artifact is from the tomb of King Tutankhamun, the famous Egyptian pharaoh. The grasshopper, made of gold and glass, is said to be a remarkable example of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship. Despite the lack of provenance, the auction house believes the artifact is still a valuable and significant historical item. The sale of the grasshopper has sparked discussions about the importance of provenance and the ethical considerations surrounding the sale of potentially unprovenanced artifacts. The article highlights the ongoing challenges in the art and antiquities market, where the authenticity and ownership history of artifacts can be difficult to verify, raising questions about the appropriate handling and distribution of such culturally significant objects.