Vintage French Bronze Cats, 1970, Set of 2

Details

Description

French Pair of Bronze Cats from the Egyptian Revival Art Deco Style, Signed A. Toit, circa 1970 A magnificent pair … Read more French Pair of Bronze Cats from the Egyptian Revival Art Deco Style, Signed A. Toit, circa 1970 A magnificent pair of tall, divine French cats from the Egyptian Revival style, crafted in 20th-century Art Deco bronze with gilt collars and signed by the artist/sculptor A. Toit, circa 1970, France. This magnificent pair of imposing cats would enhance any interior or exterior doorway or fireplace; simply beautiful. The cat was the sacred animal of the goddess Bastet, a great and benevolent Egyptian goddess. In her honor, mummified cats, sometimes in impressive bronze or wooden reliquaries, were offered at her temples, the most important of which were located in Bubastis and Saqqara. The mummies were then buried within the temple precinct. The cat's upright and dignified pose and the alert expression in its eyes create an impression of majesty. The slender muscles and long, graceful legs convey a sense of controlled power. For the Egyptians, the goddesses Bastet and Sakhmet were two aspects of divine power. Sakhmet, the lioness, represented dangerous, potentially destructive forces. Bastet, the house cat, embodied the benevolent aspects of a deity who could be appeased through rituals. Cats were first domesticated by the Egyptians in the Middle Kingdom for their ability to hunt mice. By the New Kingdom, they had also become household companions. In tomb scenes, they frequently appear sitting under their owners' chairs or in pleasure boats on the Nile marshes, where they retrieve birds for their masters. Material: Hollow cast bronze. Condition: Excellent condition with minor age-related wear, fairly heavy, wonderful patina. Dimensions: Height 63.5 cm Width: 22.86 cm Depth: 14" inches / 35.56 cm. See less