Egypt has recovered a rare artifact from the Netherlands after marathon negotiations with Dutch officials, Al Akhbar reported.

The artifact is a statue for a Pharaohnic woman called Hinr. It was stolen from Egypt in 1995.

"Dr Zahi Hawwas, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities," said the artifact had been smuggled out of Egypt.

Egyptian officials happened to recognize  the masterpiece after being displayed at a Dutch exhibit.

Several artifacts and statutes dating back to the Pharaohnic era had been stolen and smuggled out of Egypt over the years.

Egypt has started negotiations with US officials to restore a miscellany of Pharahonic artifacts seized by American authorities months ago in San Francisco.