This is the rating and price for Egyptian Carnelian Bead - Cat / Bastet Amulet

Description : Ancient Egypt, Late Dynastic period, ca. 712 to 332 BCE. This dainty hand-carved and hand-drilled carnelian bead is a beautiful vermillion hue with swirls of white inclusions. Seated on its haunches, tail curved around its body, effortlessly regal, this cat, perhaps representing Bastet, is carved with meticulous detail to its face, a task of a delicate and skilled artisan! The front limbs have a shallow groove to indicate two legs with incised lines on the paws to denote toes and to delineate the flat base it sits upon from the body. A perforation through the base allows this bead to be strung as an amulet, a popular practice to protect the wearer, and this elegant cat represents good health. Size: .5 W x .75 H (1.3 cm x 1.9 cm) Cats played an important role in ancient Egyptian culture and today's housecats come from the domestication of wild cats that lived along the Nile. The aloofness and aura of mystery that cats held, captivated the imagination and quickly transfromed them into deity figures, represented by Bastet, the cat headed goddess of good health and daughter of the sun god Ra. The Egyptian word for amulet meant protector and the specific amulet form would help the wearer overcome certain obstacles. The type of stone used was also important, and carnelian was particulary protective. Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #157849
Price: 1 182.75 USD It's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 1200 USD-1800 USD It's free to register now to view!

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