An Egyptian Amethyst Cat

Late Period to Ptolemaic Period, 664-30 B.C.

Height 1 inch (2.5 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, France, 1978.

Christie’s, New York, Antiquities, 8 June 2007, Lot 35.

Rupert Wace Ancient Art, London, 2007-2018.

Chiswick Auctions, London, Antiquities and Tribal Arts, 29 June 2018, Lot 40.

(with invoice)

Intact as preserved. Minor soil or sediment in the crevices near the feet. Fractures and inclusions present within the amethyst; quartz inclusion at the base. Minor chip to the front on the proper right side of base; very minor chips to the tips of ears. Superficial abrasions that are consistent with wear. Very attractive and stable condition overall. Height with base 3 1/4 inches.

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Antiquities & Ethnographic Art

An Egyptian Amethyst Cat

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