The cat was the sacred animal of the goddess Bastet. Bastet was an ancient Egyptian goddess, who represents the more protective aspects of motherhood, of music, joy, and one of the most beloved Mother Goddesses of Ancient Egypt. Bastet’s most important temples were located at Bubastis and Saqqara. In her honor, cats were sacrificed and mummified to be donated at her temples and or buried in the temple’s precincts. Some of these mummified cats found their final resting place inside impressive hollow bronze statues or wooden sarcophagi that were sculpted in the shape of a feline. This superb 20 cm tall (without base), medium size hollow bronze statue of a seated cat was found in 1887 during the excavation of the Temple of Bastet, Bubastis by Swiss Egyptologist Édouard-Henri Naville. The statue rests on top on a bespoke Bog Oak base. The age of this Bog Oak block has been determined by a radiocarbon date analysis and it's about 3720 years. Bubastis was a marketplace for merchants and artisans who sold thousands of bronze sculptures and amulets depicting cats to worshippers of Bast. These worshipers believed that praying to these amulets and or cat figurines could tremendously help with having their wishes granted. Provenance: Found in 1887 during the excavation of the Temple of Bastet, Bubastis by Swiss Egyptologist Édouard-Henri Naville. Ex. S.K. El Gabry, Cairo, Egypt (circa 1960's); Ex. Private collection, Scotland, United Kingdom, thence by descent, Mr. R. G.; The current owner received this artifact as gift in 2014 from previous owner, Florida, USA. FREE EXPRESS FEDEX SHIPPING TO CONTINENTAL USA AND EUROPE! The seller can prove that the lot was obtained legally, provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to sell/export this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits, like an export license will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about the status of it if this takes more than a few days.