ostracon ancient art
catalogue

Egyptian Bronze Figure of a Cat, 26th-30th Dynasty, 664-332 BC

Seated bronze cat with arched back and noble posture of the head. The tail curled around to the front.

The small head with beady eyes and erect ears, mouth and nose engraved.

The cat features very long forelegs and a small chest, on which appears an incised necklace with a rudimentary Eye of Horus pendant.

Cats were the embodiment of Bastet, goddess of Bubastis and patroness of joy and women.

Intact, fine condition. Hollow cast bronze with two tangs beneath to fix the figure on a base or box. Inserted in an acrylic base.

H. 8.3 cm (3.3 in)
H. with stand 10.2 cm (4 in)

Ex D. Zimmermann, Geneva, April 1988 (copy of the gallery owner's description joined).
Thence Swiss private collection and by succession.

6000 USD