Gayer-Anderson Cat, Bronze

<p>The Gayer Anderson cat is a votive figure dedicated by a wealthy worshipper of the Egyptian goddess Bastet during the Saite Period, about 600 BC.</p> <p>The bronze original is hollow and was made in the same way as our replica. It is thought to represent a sacred temple cat. On top of its head is an amuletic scarab symbolising the close connection between the cat and the sun-god. It wears gold leech-<br />shaped earrings, a nose ring, and a silver pectoral udjat- eye, beneath which is an ornament in the shape of a winged scarab and silver disc. Around the cat's shoulders lies a three-stranded collar with pendants.</p> <p>In ancient Egypt, it was believed that most deities were able to take the form of a sacred animal in order to appear on earth. Not all members of a species were considered sacred; only those lucky enough to be chosen to live in a temple as the gods representative<br />were revered.</p>

Exclusive to the British Museum, an impressive bronze replica of the ancient Egyptian Gayer-Anderson Cat statue.

The stunning cat has been hand-cast in bronze in a London-based foundry, and is finished with 14 carat gold-plated earrings and nose ring, and a silver wedjat chest piece. The replica is made using a mould of the original artefact, which is now housed in the British Museum. 

The Gayer-Anderson Cat is thought to be a sacred temple cat sculpture from the Late Period of ancient Egypt. The regal and highly decorated bronze statue wears gold earrings and a gold nose ring. Her silver breastplate is decorated with the sacred eye of the god Horus, beneath which is an ornamental scarab and silvered disc. The cat likely symbolises the goddess Bastet, and is named after Major Robert Grenville Gayer-Anderson who donated the cat to the British Museum in 1939. Cats were highly revered in ancient Egypt and were often found in temples as representatives of Bastet.    

A handsome ornament for your home.