amulet
- Museum number
- EA26239
- Description
-
Glazed composition amulet of Bastet: represented completely in cat form, modeled in bright blue glazed composition with dark speckles on her coat; there is a suspension loop behind her neck. As goddess of fertility her kittens provide proof of her fecundity: she is attended by no less than ten of them. One sits on top of her head, another lies on her back, six sit supporting her outstretched forelegs on their heads and two more balance on the forelegs.
- Production date
- 900BC-700BC (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 4.60 centimetres
-
Weight: 14 grammes
-
Width: 1.22 centimetres
-
Depth: 4 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Such amulets would have been worn particularly by women not only to place themselves under the patronage of Bastet, but also in the hope that the wearer might be endowed with the goddess' fecundity.
Bibliography:
'Egyptian Treasures' [exhibition catalogue] (Shanghai, 1999), 94-95 No 23;
C. Andrews, 'Amulets of Ancient Egypt' (London 1994), p.33.
G. Pinch, Magic in Ancient Egypt (London 1994), fig.62.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
2021-2022 9 Oct - 10 Jan, Tokyo, Museum of Science and Nature, Mummies of Ancient Egypt: rediscovering six lives (Egyptian Mummies 2)
2022 5 Feb- 8 May, Kobe City Museum, Mummies of Ancient Egypt: rediscovering six lives (Egyptian Mummies 2)
2022 14 Jul - 26 Oct, Madrid, CaixaForum, Mummies of Ancient Egypt: rediscovering six lives (Egyptian Mummies 2)
2022-2023 1 Dec – 19 Mar, Barcelona, CaixaForum, Mummies of Ancient Egypt: rediscovering six lives (Egyptian Mummies 2)
2023 25 Apr - 2 Sep, Seville, CaixaForum, Mummies of Ancient Egypt: rediscovering six lives (Egyptian Mummies 2)
2023-2024 6 Oct – 21 Jan, Valencia, CaixaForum, Mummies of Ancient Egypt: rediscovering six lives (Egyptian Mummies 2)
2024 27 Feb - 5 Jun, Zaragoza, CaixaForum, Mummies of Ancient Egypt: rediscovering six lives (Egyptian Mummies 2)
- Condition
- good
- Acquisition date
- 1895
- Department
- Egypt and Sudan
- BM/Big number
- EA26239
- Registration number
- 1895,0511.23
