Bastet statuette. Dimensions: H. 7.9 cm (3 1/8 in.); W. 2.2 cm (7/8 in.); D. 2.1 cm (13/16 in.)H. (with tang): 8.5 cm (3 3/8 in.). Date: 664-30 BC.Bastet, here shown as a cat-headed goddess, was a powerful protective figure who also was known for her fertility. She could be represented with a lion head as well, but as a cat-headed goddess her peaceful traits were emphasized. Her personal adornments and garments are elaborate on statuettes, often more so than other goddesses, and she usually carries numerous attributes. This figure holds a banded basket in the crook of her elbow, a protective lion-headed aegis against her chest and a sistrum in her other hand. A suggestion that the basket held kittens seems unfounded, but statuettes of this type do sometimes show the goddess with kittens in front of her, alluding to her fertility. Her dress has a striped herring bone pattern with a defined hem. Bastet does not always wear a decorated dress, but it is much more common for her than for