Posted 6 years ago
LaurenRedm…
(118 items)
First off this little Bast statue was spotted in a curio shop, a sort of a 'new age' trinket kind of place so I'm not sure if it's new or not. There were a pair of them together on a shelf so I presumed they were bookends, I took the two and gave the other cat to my mother as a Christmas present who happens to love the same things I do.
According to Egyptian mythology, Bast or Bastet was the ancient Egyptian goddess of protection, perfume and cats and is generally depicted in statue form as a sleek domestic cat rather than a fierce lioness- she also had a cult dedicated to her.
What I love about this statue is how ancient she somewhat looks, like she's been brought back from the actual tombs in Egypt and for centuries has stood guarding the doorway to a pharaoh's tomb.
It's also funny because when I first seen the two statues I was reminded of seeing a statue like this in an old black and white version of 'The picture of Dorian Gray' that's probably really obscure anyway, but I remember being fascinated by the statue and the implications that it could have been cursed and caused the curse to be placed on Dorian Gray in the first place.
I would assume she is made from some sort of dense black stone, maybe soapstone?
Cost €15($17.11/£13.50)
Awesome black cat statue Lauren, I love its Egyptian guardian pose, very sleek and powerful - also looks great next to your other figures. Is that a serpent symbol round its neck. Have seen the old b&w Dorian Gray movie, will have to watch for this gorgeous cat next time
Thanks Newfld, yes that is the serpent symbol around her neck and in regards to that old Dorian Gray film- now I could very well be remembering this completely wrong as I was very young seeing it but, I think the scene is early on in the film when Sybil Vane is in Dorian's house and sees the cat figure, but when she sees it in the mirror the eyes appear to move, or at least she thinks they do! I've always believed that at least in this version of the film, it could very well have been the start of the 'curse' placed on Dorian....
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Egyptian-Bast-Bastet-Goddess-Cat-Statue-12-25-Ancient-Egyptian-Goddess-Bastet/254042347501?hash=item3b261a97ed:g:4yIAAOSwsQJcJWxQ
Bastet or Bast is included in a list of famous Egyptian Cat Goddeses. If you do a Google search on "Bastet" there are many different pics.
I really love the simplicity of your statue, very classic.
Oh my goodness- that's it Keramikos you found it! I seen this film only once in my life when I was a very young child and assumed later on I'd imagined it- it just stuck with me as a child for some reason, but thanks a lot for finding it and commenting!
Thanks for the link Gillian, I love her simplistic style too- it helps with her sleekness!
Bastet, Egyptian cat goddess of protection, pleasure, and the bringer of good health. Very cool!