Created by Roushdy Iskander Garas, an eminent Egyptologist and renowned artist, this temple vase is inspired by one of the most revered of all the fabulous deities of ancient Egypt, Bastet, the cat goddess. Usually represented in the form of a woman with the head of a cat, an animal much admired by the Egyptians, Bastet became one of the main Egyptian deities around 950 BCE. She was worshiped during a festival organized each year in the town of Boubastis. As Bastet was considered the goddess of joy, music and dance, this festival was the occasion for great rejoicing, bringing together more than 700,000 people. In the Egyptian pantheon, Bastet was both the daughter and wife of Ra, god of the sun, and therefore symbolized all the benefits provided by the day star. It was also supposed to protect men and women from illness and the pernicious influence of evil spirits. The hieroglyphs on the vase recall that Bastet. is the goddess of joy and love. As for lotus flowers, they symbolize fertility. Papyrus leaves, for their part, presage rebirth and renewal of life. Bastet's spectacular golden portrait and the symbols surrounding her pay homage to Ra, god of the sun, whose beloved she was. Even the colors of the vase take on a symbolic meaning. This is how the brilliant touches of crimson red evoke the fires of passion, while turquoise and green are the image of the faithful heart. ABOUT THE ARTIST Roushdy Iskander Garas is both an artist of extraordinary talent and an eminent historian, intimately familiar with Egypt and its legends. Professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cairo and Alexandria, he is considered one of the greatest specialists in the art and history of ancient Egypt. Garas, the artist, was the winner of the prestigious Gold Medal of the Florence International Biennale and the First Prize of the Cairo Salon: Twenty-eight exhibitions around the world have also been entirely devoted to his works. The many facets of his genius have earned him the nickname of the artist of the Egyptian renaissance throughout the world."