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Cuff Bracelets Decorated with Cats

New Kingdom
ca. 1479–1425 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 118
The cats on this bracelet are similar to elements of royal jewelry dating to the beginning of Dynasty 18. The animal was sacred to the goddess Bastet, the benign counterpart of Sakhmet who incorporated the fierceness of a lioness.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Cuff Bracelets Decorated with Cats
  • Period: New Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 18
  • Reign: reign of Thutmose III
  • Date: ca. 1479–1425 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Wadi Gabbanat el-Qurud, Wadi D, Tomb of the Three Foreign Wives of Thutmose III
  • Medium: Gold, carnelian, lapis-lazuli, turquoise glass
  • Dimensions: L. 16.8 cm (6 5/8 in); W. 5.1 cm (2 in); Th. 2.2 cm (7/8 in); Cat Spacer: D. 5.2 cm (2 1/16 in.); W. 2.9 cm ( 1 1/8in.); Barrels L. 0.6-0.9 cm
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1919–1922; Rogers Fund, 1922; Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 1988 (1988.17i)
  • Object Number: 26.8.121a
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

Audio

Cover Image for 1155. Kids: Jewelry of Three Wives of Thutmose III, Part 2

1155. Kids: Jewelry of Three Wives of Thutmose III, Part 2

Gallery 118

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ISABEL STUENKEL: Do you see the cat bracelets?

EXPLORER ONE: There are cats all over them. And the bracelets on top, the right, the top right and left both have three cats. And the one on the bottom left has two cats. And they're both made out of gold. And then, the one on the right has only one cat. I'm not sure why, but I think there might have been more cats on them. But maybe they like fell off because they're so old, especially since they're from ancient Egypt. This is thousands of years ago. It has like little markings with it. I could definitely imagine myself wearing that because I love cats.

ISABEL STUENKEL: You can see one of the cats that fell out, below the bracelets. What do YOU think about the jewelry? Do you like the cat bracelets? Or would you rather wear some of the other things? Maybe one of the rings or one of the huge necklaces?

JO LOH: So take a minute and look around the cases. My favorite are the little rings with the scarab beetles on them. Before you continue your exploration through the Egyptian galleries, turn to the right and look at the mirrors that are hanging on the wall. Can you see yourself?

More Artwork

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See 26.8.121a
ca. 1479–1425 BC
Menat necklace from Malqata
ca. 1390–1352 B.C.
Objects from Theban Tomb MMA 840
ca. 1850–1700 B.C.
Floral collar from Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache
ca. 1336–1327 B.C.
Floral Collar from Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache
ca. 1336–1327 B.C.

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