Ancient Egypt, Third Intermediate to Late Dynastic Period, 21st to 31st Dynasty, ca. 1070 to 332 BCE. A hand-built faience pendant of a miniature size depicting a cat laying recumbent atop an integral ovoid plinth. The petite feline turns its head over its right shoulder and tucks all four limbs beneath its plump body. Inscribed on the underside of the plinth is a standing, right-facing depiction of Tawaret (also Tauret, Thoueris), the crocodile-headed hippopotamus goddess who was a protector of women and child-birthing. The cat is pierced lengthwise through the body for suspension, and the entire composition is enveloped with lustrous sapphire-blue glaze. Size: 0.4" L x 0.25" W x 0.3" H (1 cm x 0.6 cm x 0.8 cm)
Provenance: private Toronto, Ontario, Canada collection, by descent, acquired in Egypt in 1894 to 1896
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#167161
Condition
Very light abrasions and minor encrustations within some incised details, otherwise intact and excellent. Great remains of glaze and nice preservation to finer details.