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Mummified Cat
(Ancient Egypt and Nubia )
Since the Late Period the Egyptians gave animal mummies as gifts to the gods. These animals were bred near the temples. The largest amount of cat mummies was gifted to the goddess Bastet at her ritual center, Bubastis, in the eastern Delta of Egypt. Some cat mummies were exported to Europe in the 19th century for use as fertilizer.
This cat mummy was carefully wrapped in linen strips. The x-ray of the mummy shows its neck intact, with the forelegs pressed down against the body and hind legs folded together.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Estate of Mrs. Frances Eaton Weld [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1947, by gift.
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 3/22/1984 | Examination | examined for loan |
Geographies
Egypt (Bubastis) (Place of Origin)
Measurements
12 5/8 x 2 5/8 x 3 3/8 in. (32.07 x 6.67 x 8.57 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the heirs of Mrs. Frances Eaton Weld, 1947
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
79.2