Statuette of a seated cat

This hollow-cast bronze statue represents the seated cat form of the feline goddess Bastet, venerated in the Nile Delta, mainly in the town of Bubastis. The cat aspect of Bastet emphasises her domesticated, mild, and accommodating nature, in contrast to the uncontrollably ferocious and bloodthirsty features of the lioness. Its tail, ears, a part of its back and hind legs are missing. There are some cracks on its head and a deep line runs lengthwise in the line of the nose. The bottom is damaged. The broken tail which would be traditionally curled to its right foreleg, was placed on the ground along the right side of the body. This tail position corresponds to the ancient Egyptian representation, which shows the tail of a seated cat on its right. The bronze cat statues like this may well have been presented as votive offerings to the goddess, and some statue contains mummified cat or bones.