Scarab Decorated with the Representation of a Cat (Bastet)

Third Intermediate Period or Late Period

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 130

The underside of the scarab is decorated with the representatiojn of a cat sitting on top of a basket. Cats represent the goddess Bastet, the mild-tempered daughter of the sun god Re, who also served as an Eye of Re. The sun disk above her back emphasizes her association with Re.

Scarab Decorated with the Representation of a Cat (Bastet), Steatite

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Scarab Decorated with the Representation of a Cat (Bastet), Steatite
Scarab Decorated with the Representation of a Cat (Bastet), Steatite
Scarab Decorated with the Representation of a Cat (Bastet), Steatite
Scarab Decorated with the Representation of a Cat (Bastet), Steatite

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