PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 304-30 B.C.

Details

AN EGYPTIAN BRONZE CAT
PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 304-30 B.C.
Hollow cast, finely proportioned, naturalistically depicted, seated with its forepaws together, its tail curving forward around the proper right side and extending just beyond the forepaws, the head with erect ears, the fur incised on the interior, pierced for attachment of now-missing earrings, the large convex eyes with contoured lids, dipping at the inner canthi, peaked at the outer corners, the irises defined, the eye rims originally overlaid with gold, traces preserved on the left eye, wearing an incised wedjat-eye suspended from decorative three-tiered beaded collar, the counter-poise positioned at the nape of the neck, a tang below the paws and the tail; mummified cat remains preserved in the interior; the wooden base likely original
9¼ in. (23.5 cm.) high, as mounted

Provenance

with G. Sangiorgi, Rome.
Russell Roberts, Vienna, acquired from the above in 1948; thence by descent to current owner.

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

Russell Roberts (b. 1910 in San Francisco, d. 1989 in Vienna) was a leading tenor and opera singer in Cologne. Having studied art history as well as fine art at the University of California, Roberts became an art enthusiast. His extensive collection comprised a broad range of cultures and periods including Antiquities, Asian Art, African, Oceanic and Modern Art.

More from Antiquities

View All