Egyptian Cat Goddess Bastet Pendant With Ankh

Material: 100% Sterling silver Weight: 3.6 grams More than 1/2 inch wide x almost 1 inch tall excluding bail (14 x 24 mm) Item number: wh273 This striking pendant features a head-and-shoulders depiction of Bastet, the ancient Egyptian goddess with the head of a cat and the body of woman. Bastet is shown in the traditional side profile view above an ornate collar. Just below Bastet is an ankh symbol, and both are framed in a coffin-shaped border. The pendant is dramatically oxidized, with the recessed textured background showing very dark, almost black, to highlight the polished silver features of Bastet and the ankh. The reverse side of the pendant has an overall lightly hammered finish. Originally a lioness, Bastet was the daughter of the sun god Ra and Isis. Her role was that of protector of Lower Egypt and Ra. It was believed that every day she would ride through the sky with her father. As his boat pulled the sun through the sky she would watch over and protect him. At night, she