Ancient Egyptian | Faience Bastet Cat Vessel Fragment | Circa 664–30 B.C.
- Prix habituel
- $600.00
- Prix soldé
- $600.00
- Prix habituel
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Ancient Egyptian | Faience Bastet Cat Vessel Fragment | Circa 664–30 B.C.
Description
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Historical Context & Origin
Region: Egypt
Material: Blue-green Egyptian faience (glazed composition)
Period: Late Period to Ptolemaic Period, circa 664–30 B.C.
Description
A rare and evocative fragment of an ancient Egyptian faience vessel handle surmounted by a stylized cat figure representing Bastet, one of the most beloved deities of the Egyptian pantheon. Rendered in the distinctive blue-green faience glaze characteristic of Egyptian religious objects, the feline head emerges from the curved upper section of the handle, its small ears, rounded muzzle, and stylized facial features visible despite the fragmentary state.
The surviving portion preserves the vertical handle shaft and the upper decorative cat element. In antiquity, such handles were attached to small ritual vessels or cult containers used in temple contexts or as votive dedications.
The luminous turquoise-green glaze reflects the Egyptian tradition of faience production—an early high-technology quartz ceramic whose bright color symbolized rebirth, fertility, and the regenerative power of the Nile. Faience objects were frequently used as substitutes for precious stones such as turquoise or lapis lazuli.
Features
- Rare faience vessel handle fragment with feline deity representation
- Stylized cat head associated with the goddess Bastet
- Classic turquoise-green Egyptian faience glaze
- Surviving vertical handle shaft indicating attachment to a ritual vessel
- Sculpted feline ears, muzzle, and facial contours
- Mounted on a modern display stand for presentation
Cultural Significance
Cats held profound religious significance in ancient Egypt and were closely associated with the goddess Bastet, protector of the home, fertility, and motherhood. Bastet was commonly depicted as a domestic cat or as a woman with the head of a cat.
Small feline representations appeared widely in votive offerings, amulets, and decorative vessel elements. Objects bearing the cat form were believed to provide protection and divine favor. During the Late and Ptolemaic periods, such pieces were often dedicated at temples devoted to Bastet, particularly at Bubastis in the Nile Delta.
Condition
Ancient fragment with visible chips, losses, and areas of glaze wear consistent with burial and age. Portions of the original handle and decorative elements are missing. The piece remains structurally stable and displays well.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Height: 2.88 in
Width: 2.00 in
Depth: 1.25 in
Age (Approximate)
2,000–2,600 years old
Learn More
Examine a comparable Egyptian faience vessel handle with cat in the Museum of Fine Arts Budapest
Browse our curated Ancient Egyptian Artifacts Collection
Description
Historical Context & Origin
Region: Egypt
Material: Blue-green Egyptian faience (glazed composition)
Period: Late Period to Ptolemaic Period, circa 664–30 B.C.
Description
A rare and evocative fragment of an ancient Egyptian faience vessel handle surmounted by a stylized cat figure representing Bastet, one of the most beloved deities of the Egyptian pantheon. Rendered in the distinctive blue-green faience glaze characteristic of Egyptian religious objects, the feline head emerges from the curved upper section of the handle, its small ears, rounded muzzle, and stylized facial features visible despite the fragmentary state.
The surviving portion preserves the vertical handle shaft and the upper decorative cat element. In antiquity, such handles were attached to small ritual vessels or cult containers used in temple contexts or as votive dedications.
The luminous turquoise-green glaze reflects the Egyptian tradition of faience production—an early high-technology quartz ceramic whose bright color symbolized rebirth, fertility, and the regenerative power of the Nile. Faience objects were frequently used as substitutes for precious stones such as turquoise or lapis lazuli.
Features
- Rare faience vessel handle fragment with feline deity representation
- Stylized cat head associated with the goddess Bastet
- Classic turquoise-green Egyptian faience glaze
- Surviving vertical handle shaft indicating attachment to a ritual vessel
- Sculpted feline ears, muzzle, and facial contours
- Mounted on a modern display stand for presentation
Cultural Significance
Cats held profound religious significance in ancient Egypt and were closely associated with the goddess Bastet, protector of the home, fertility, and motherhood. Bastet was commonly depicted as a domestic cat or as a woman with the head of a cat.
Small feline representations appeared widely in votive offerings, amulets, and decorative vessel elements. Objects bearing the cat form were believed to provide protection and divine favor. During the Late and Ptolemaic periods, such pieces were often dedicated at temples devoted to Bastet, particularly at Bubastis in the Nile Delta.
Condition
Ancient fragment with visible chips, losses, and areas of glaze wear consistent with burial and age. Portions of the original handle and decorative elements are missing. The piece remains structurally stable and displays well.
Dimensions (Approximate)
Height: 2.88 in
Width: 2.00 in
Depth: 1.25 in
Age (Approximate)
2,000–2,600 years old
Learn More
Examine a comparable Egyptian faience vessel handle with cat in the Museum of Fine Arts Budapest
Browse our curated Ancient Egyptian Artifacts Collection
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