Egyptian Bronze Head of a Cat

An ancient Egyptian bronze head of a cat, realistically modeled in an alert pose with fixed gaze and upright ears with incised details.

Late Period, 26th Dynasty,

Ca. 664 - 525 BC.

Height: 2 1/4 in. (5.8 cm).

The female cat was seen as the earthly manifestation of Bastet, goddess of Joy. Her cult center was at Bubastis in the Nile Delta. At this site the carefully mummified bodies of highly revered cats have been found with finely cast bronze masks.

Formerly in an American private collection; Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, February 17, 1978, lot 259; Tom Jorgensen collection, California; Sotheby's, New York, November 24, 1987, lot 37.

Inv#: 9077

Guaranteed Authentic

$17,500