Bastet or Bast was one of the most popular goddesses of ancient Egypt. She is generally thought of as a Cat Goddess although she originally had the head of a lion or desert sand cat. She is often shown holding the Ankh (as here) or the papyrus wand, which represents the breath of life and lower Egypt.
Cats are the sacred animal to Bastet. The ancient Egyptians placed great value on cats due to the protection they provided against vermin. The cats in Bastet's temple were even mummified after death and presented to the goddess as offering.
She measures approximately 10 inches tall. Hand painted and highlighted detail from her headdress, neck adornment, arm bands, ankh, scarab waist decoration to the adorable kitten at her feet and the grass she stands upon.