ClassificationsAncient Egyptian Art

Statuette of a Cat

(not assigned)Egypt

CultureEgyptian

PeriodThird Intermediate Period

Date1076-723 BCE

MediumBronze

Credit LineGift of Anne Cox Chambers

Dimensions4 3/4 in. (12 cm)

Object number2011.031.001

Label TextCats, in ancient Egypt, were not just pets but symbols of Bastet, the goddess of fertility and protection. The popularity of Bastet’s cult from the Late Period to the Ptolemaic Period led to the creation of a large number of seated cat statuettes. The cat is seated with head held erect and tail curled to the right. Her expression is attentive with ears slightly back. These features express the essence of a cat being dignified and aware. A scarab, the symbol of the rising sun, is incised on her forehead. Piercings to the ears and nose once held gold rings. This statuette of a cat was given by Charlie Chaplin to his wife, actress, Paulette Goddard.
Exhibition HistoryMCCM Rotunda, March 29, 2012 - June 10, 2013
MCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, June 17, 2013 - January 29, 2018
Divine Felines: Cats of Ancient Egypt, Michael C. Carlos Museum, February 10 - November 11, 2018
MCCM Permanent Collection Galleries, January 29, 2019-Present
Published ReferencesMCCM Newsletter, Spring/Summer 2012.

ProvenanceEx coll. Paulette Goddard (1910-1990), Los Angeles, California, gift from Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977), Los Angeles, California, from ca. 1936 - 1942. Ex private collection, United States, from ca. 1986. Purchased by MCCM from Rupert Wace Ancient Art, Ltd., London, England.

Status

On view

Collections