Collection
/
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Cat (Bastet)

305 B.C.E.–1st century C.E.

1 of 12

Object Label

Most cat statues of this type served as containers for cat mummies. Because this statue is solid, it must have functioned differently, perhaps as a temple offering. A scarab, symbolizing the morning sun, was frequently placed between the ears of such cats, perhaps an artistic interpretation of the stripes on a cat’s fur.

Caption

Cat (Bastet), 305 B.C.E.–1st century C.E.. Wood (most likely sycamore fig - Ficus sycomorus L.), gold leaf, gesso, bronze, copper, pigment, rock crystal, glass, 26 3/8 x 7 1/4 x 19 in. (67 x 18.4 x 48.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1945E. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Cat (Bastet)

Date

305 B.C.E.–1st century C.E.

Period

Ptolemaic Period to Roman Period

Geography

Reportedly from: Saqqara, Egypt

Medium

Wood (most likely sycamore fig - Ficus sycomorus L.), gold leaf, gesso, bronze, copper, pigment, rock crystal, glass

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

26 3/8 x 7 1/4 x 19 in. (67 x 18.4 x 48.3 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

37.1945E

Frequent Art Questions

  • Why does this cat have a gem on top of its head? What does this represent?

    That gem is actually a representation of a scarab beetle which was symbolized the early morning sun, something very important to the ancient Egyptians. Cats were also closely associated with the sun. If you look around that special exhibition, you will see other felines depicted with accoutrements and jewelry and this wasn't uncommon in ancient Egyptian art. However, we don't know if the Egyptians would put jewelry on their living cats!

  • Did this figure come with a collar? I can see there's a mark around the neck.

    A collar or necklace was an accessory figures of cats would be seen with, among other forms of jewelry. There is a great statue head of a cat in that exhibition with gold earrings. However, in the case of this particular statue, the head had broken off and was re-attached by conservators.

  • Why were felines often chosen to be represented in Ancient Egypt? I mean, I don't see many other animals.

    One reason cats were so revered in ancient Egypt was that they were able to kill vermin (like mice and rats) that would get into food supplies. Of course, food was crucial to survival, so cats were seen as protectors in that way! The Goddess Bastet, usually shown in cat form or cat/human form, was the goddess of protection, fertility, and motherhood.
    Other animals do appear in the art of ancient Egypt, you'll see quite a few hippopotami in the galleries, for example, but cats were especially popular!
    Thanks!
    Let us know if any other objects catch your eye as you move through the Egypt galleries.

Have information?

Have information about an artwork? Contact us at

bkmcollections@brooklynmuseum.org.