Ohio museum sells pieces despite protests from Cyprus, Egypt

The sale of nearly two dozen antiquities from an Ohio art museum brought in 640,000 dollars on Tuesday despite objections to the auction from the governments of Egypt and Cyprus.

The items sold were among nearly 70 pieces from Egypt, Greece and Italy that the Toledo Museum of Art plans to sell.

The museum said the items aren't often on display and not among its prized possessions, but a nationally known archaeologist criticized the decision, saying modern laws make it difficult to acquire such items.

The 23 pieces sold Tuesday at Christie's in New York included a Cypriot limestone head of a male votary from 6th century B.C. that the Cyprus Embassy had hoped would stay with the museum, The Blade reported.

The piece fetched 55,000 dollars - about twice what it had been valued.

Cyprus' ambassador to the United States had asked on Monday that the sale be...