Book review - The Gayer-Anderson Cat

The Gayer-Anderson Cat by Neal Spencer, British Museum Press, c. 2007

This slim little book, part of the British Museum's 'Objects in Focus' series, is a must-have for anyone interested in the cats of Ancient Egypt. At 64 pages, it contains five chapters, a map, a short bibliography, many specially commissioned photos, and a few diagrams.

Chapter 2, 'The Gayer-Anderson Cat', is a lovingly detailed description of the Cat in its current condition. This chapter also includes a discussion of the religious symbolism used. The photos in this chapter show close-ups of details-the Cat's necklaces, and Her toes with hints of sheathed claws. It also has the first photo I've ever seen of a rear view. The author includes what might almost be described as a catalog of iconographic variations displayed by different cats from different periods.
Spencer also includes a short section on the difference between a pet animal and one thought to manifest a deity.

Chapter 3 discusses the religious associations of cats in Ancient Egypt. To people new to the study of AE, it might come as a surprise to learn that cats were not only associated with Bastet, but also with other goddesses (Mut) or even with male gods (Re.) It discusses possible uses the Cat had in antiquity, including a votive offering, a
coffin for a votive cat mummy, or as temple furniture.

Chapter 4 tells how such bronzes were made with the lost wax method of casting, and includes X-rays showing modern repairs. Chapter 5 gives brief biographical details of the Cat's donor, and it's appearance in the British Museum.

Spencer asks more questions about this piece than can be definitively answered. I'm willing to believe that his speculations are the result of rigorous scholarship.

The only criticism I would offer is that the bibliography is too general. There are some things in the main body of the text I would love to follow up on, but where?