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Gayer-Anderson cat

Gayer-Anderson cat is an ancient Egyptian bronze statue dating to the Late Period, around 664–332 BC. It depicts a cat representing the goddess Bast and is decorated with gold ornament, jewelry, a protective amulet, a scarab on the head, and a winged scarab on the chest. The statue is 42 cm high and 13 cm wide. It was presented to the British Museum by Major Robert Grenville Gayer-Anderson and Mary Stout Shaw, and a copy is kept in the Gayer-Anderson Museum in Cairo. X-rays show that the sculpture is more fragile than it appears, with a cracked body and a head supported by an internal frame.

Gayer-Anderson Cat statue with a gold nose ring, earring, and decorated collar.
The Gayer-Anderson Cat, an ancient Egyptian cat statue with bronze patina and gold ornaments.
January 2008 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Gayer-Anderson Cat bronze statue with a nose ring, earring, and decorative collar on a white pedestal.
The Gayer-Anderson Cat on display in a museum case.
· CC BY 2.5
The Gayer-Anderson cat, a bronze cat statue with gold earrings, a nose ring, and an etched collar, displayed in a glass case.
The Gayer-Anderson cat bronze sculpture displayed in a glass case.
December 2023 © · CC BY 2.0
The Gayer-Anderson cat statue with pointed ears, a nose ring, and gold-colored ear cuffs on a tiered base.
The Gayer-Anderson cat statue displayed in a brightly lit showcase.
November 2003 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Gayer-Anderson cat in profile, showing a gold crescent earring and nose ring with detailed ear and forehead patterns.
The Gayer-Anderson cat shown in profile, with a gold crescent earring and nose ring visible.
· CC BY-SA 2.0

Identification

TitleGayer-Anderson cat
TypeAncient Egyptian bronze statue of a cat
Alternative namesКошка Гайер-Андерсона; Kot Gayera-Andersona; Gato de Gayer-Anderson

Historical context

DateLate Period of ancient Egypt, about 664–332 BC
CultureAncient Egypt

Creator

NamesakeMajor Robert Grenville Gayer-Anderson
Donors to the British MuseumMajor Robert Grenville Gayer-Anderson and Mary Stout Shaw

Discovery and provenance

ProvenanceProbably from Saqqara
AcquisitionPresented to the British Museum by Major Robert Grenville Gayer-Anderson in the 1930s
Inventory numberEA 64391

Physical characteristics

Dimensions42 cm high, 13 cm wide

Materials

MaterialBronze with gold ornament
Alloy composition85% copper, 13% tin, 2% arsenic, and 0.2% lead

Technique

Possible alloy variationDifferent alloys may have been used to create tonal variation on the body and stripes on the tail
Possible eye inlaysThe eyes may originally have had stone or glass inlays
Casting processA wax model was covered with clay; after firing, the hollow mold was filled with molten metal
X-ray evidence of manufactureX-rays show remains of the pins that supported the wax core
Manufacturing techniqueLost-wax casting

Appearance

Depicted subjectA seated cat

Iconography and meaning

Associated deityProbably Bastet
DecorationJewelry, a protective amulet with the Eye of Horus, a scarab on the head, and a winged scarab on the chest
Possible later additionsThe earrings and nose ring may have been added later

Location and ownership

Current locationBritish Museum
Copy locationGayer-Anderson Museum, Cairo

History and restoration

ConditionNot as well preserved as it appears; survives with losses and cracks
X-ray findingsX-rays reveal cracks almost completely around the middle of the body, and an internal reinforcement system holds the head in place
RestorationRestored and cleaned by Major Gayer-Anderson in the 1930s
Condition when acquiredThe surface was covered with a thick layer of crystalline verdigris and red patina

Significance

Name originNamed after Major Robert Grenville Gayer-Anderson, who donated it to the British Museum