An Egyptian Bronze Cat

Third Intermediate Period, 21st-22nd Dynasty, 1070-664 B.C.

Height 3 inches (8 cm).

Property from the Collection of Dr. Hernan D. Ruf, Pompano Beach, Florida

In ancient Egypt, the cat personified Bastet, the goddess of fertility, pleasure, and good health. Those hoping to conceive or seeking protection against disease would make offerings to her. This often took the form of a pilgrimage to her temple, Bubastis, or Memphis to deposit votive objects. These objects were commonly made of bronze and depict cats in various forms such as a seated cat (Lots 55, 56, & 61) and cat with kittens (Lot 57). Mummified cats were also presented as dedication to Bastet (Lot 58).

Bastet was also the protector of Lower Egypt and a daughter of the sun god, Ra. Therefore, she was the defender of both Ra and Ra’s representation on earth, the pharaoh. However, by the Third Intermediate Period religion was democratized and the cult of Bastet became more widespread. Numerous cat amulets made from semi-precious stones (Lot 59) and metals (Lot 60) have been discovered from this period onward and were likely intended to endow the wearer with Bastet’s powers of fecundity and wellbeing.

Often confounded with other feline-headed goddesses, Bastet is closely linked with Sekhmet. The earliest depictions of Bastet are as a lioness which showed her to be fierce and unapproachable. She was later transmogrified to a cat and seen as a more gentle, approachable, and accessible deity.

Provenance:

Private Collection, Germany, 1990s.

Artemission, London, 19 September 2018 (Inv. no. 26.32435).

(with invoice copy)

Intact as preserved. No visual signs of restoration or repair. Overall green patina with very minor pitting. Single tang with some bronze disease. Areas of verdigris and surface wear throughout. Modern base made of wood; the tang fits into the base and it is not permanently affixed. Height with base 4 inches.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Jacob Coley

Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Antiquities and Ancient Art

[email protected]312 280 1212

Mr. Coley joined the Antiquities department in 2021 after working as Managing Director in the Ancient Art department at Colnaghi, the world’s oldest commercial art gallery, where he helped to establish the Ancient Art department and launched Colnaghi New York in 2017. Prior to Colnaghi, Mr. Coley was in the Greek and Roman Art department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mr. Coley holds a B.A. from the University of Miami and an M.A. in Art Market from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and he earned an art-appraisal certificate from New York University.

Antiquities & Ethnographic Art

An Egyptian Bronze Cat

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup