Amulet of Bastet
Unknown Artist
c. 1069–715 BCE
Medium
hematite
Dimensions
4.4 × 1.1 × 2.8 cm
Classification
Amulets
Department
Egyptian and Ancient Near Eastern Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Norman O. Stone and Ella A. Stone Memorial Fund
Accession Number
1973.29
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Elegantly seated on a low base, its tail curled around its left side, this tiny cat, sacred animal of the goddess Bastet, is a sculptural tour de force. The front legs are carved entirely in openwork. The base, an amalgam of the hieroglyphs for "ointment jar" (also used in the writing the name of the goddess Bastet), and "protection" is admirably contoured to the animal's body. On the back is a loop for suspension.