Cat Amulet
Unknown Artist
664–332 B.C.
Medium
Blue faience
Dimensions
H. 3.2 × W. 1.1 × D. 1.7 cm (1 1/4 × 7/16 × 11/16 in.)
Classification
Amulet, cat
Period
Late Period
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Darius Ogden Mills, 1904
Accession Number
04.2.375
Tags
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Egyptian Art collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this *Cat Amulet* (H. 3.2 × W. 1.1 × D. 1.7 cm) captures the Late Period's devotion to feline guardians, dating from 664–332 B.C. during Dynasties 26–30. Crafted from vibrant blue faience—a glazed composite of quartz, lime, and clay fired to mimic precious lapis lazuli—this tiny sculpture exemplifies Egypt's mastery of small-scale luxury goods. The medium's glossy sheen and enduring color evoked the Nile's life-giving waters, making it ideal for amulets worn close to the body for protection. In ancient Egypt, cats symbo...