Ancient Egyptian Bronze Cat, "Bastet" - 8.57×2.5×1.3 cm - (1)

Description: Seated on integral base over a bronze ring, smooth surface with nice green, red and brown patina, its tail around its right haunch. Professionally mounted on hand-carved 18th century solid marble column/plinth base. Dimensions: 8. 57 cm L - 3 3/8 inches (without base) ; 23. 81 cm L -9 3/8" L (including base) . Medium: Ancient Bronze Date: Egypt, c. 600 B. C. ' Condition Report: Intact Provenance: Provenance: Ex L. Stewart Collection. Acquired 1960-1970; Ex. Dr Ruf’s collection, Florida, USA. Background: The domesticated cat is probably associated more with ancient Egypt than any other culture in the world. It is mostly identified with the goddess Bastet, whose cult center was at Bubastis in the Nile Delta. Bubastis became particularly important when its rulers became the kings of Egypt, forming the Twenty-second Dynasty, sometimes known as the 'Libyan Dynasty'. The rise of the importance of Bastet and the cat can probably be dated to this period. As with other creatures sacred to particular deities, it became very popular in the Late Period (661-332 BC) to bury mummies of cats in special cemeteries as a sign of devotion to the goddess. A number of cat cemeteries are known from Egypt. J. Malek, The cat in ancient Egypt (London, The British Museum Press, 1993) J. Clutton-Brock, The British Museum book of cat (London, The British Museum Press, 2000) The Supplier warrants that he/she obtained this lot in a legal manner. Provance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.