Lot 133
Ancient Egypt, Third Intermediate Period, 22nd Dynasty, ca. 943 to 720 BCE. An impressive bronze priestess of Bastet from the Third Intermediate period. The festive leaded bronze priestess carries a sistrum in her right hand and an aegis in her left with an additional basket held in the crook of her elbow. A bronze votive like this example was perhaps sold at a temple in Bubastis to a worshipper and either given as an offering or kept in a personal shrine or altar. The quality of this votive suggests that it was a rich and potent offering. Size: 1.4" W x 3.6" H (3.6 cm x 9.1 cm); 5" H (12.7 cm) on included custom stand.
The aegis is probably to be interpreted as the top of the counterpoise to a 'menyet' collar of loosely strung beads, another musical instrument connected with merrymaking; when shaken the beads would clack together.
Bastet was initially a lioness goddess associated with the solar god and channeled its destructive powers. However, "With the Middle Kingdom the cat appeared as Bastet's sacred animal and after the New Kingdom she was depicted with a cat's head. The goddess' character became more and more friendly. She was connected with the moon . . . [and] The 'raging' aspect of earlier times was transferred to the goddess Sekhmet, who thereby became the negative, destructive side of Bastet." (Lurker, Manfred. "The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Egypt." Thames and Hudson, London, 1986, p. 32)
The priestess has been published in J. Eisenberg, "Art of the Ancient World: The Age of Cleopatra." (1988), no. 55 and J. Eisenberg, "Art of the Ancient World." (2018), vol. XXIX, p. 75, no. 152 and was on loan to Picker Art Gallery, Colgate University and Fitchburg Art Museum from 1990 to 2016.
Provenance: private Jones collection, Boulder, Colorado, USA; ex-Artemis Gallery, Louisville, Colorado, USA, acquired via private sale in 2022; ex-private Tecumseh, Michigan, USA collection, acquired in January 1989; ex-Royal-Athena Galleries, New York, New York, USA; ex-private French collection; on loan to Picker Art Gallery, Colgate University and Fitchburg Art Museum from 1990 to 2016
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#183099
- Condition: Expected surface wear with nicks and abrasions as shown, all commensurate with age, otherwise intact and excellent. Liberal remaining detail and rich patina throughout. Priestess is permanently adhered to stand.
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