17 April 2024 00:37
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Culture & Art

Smithsonian's "Divine Felines" exhibit on ancient Egypt reopens in DC

LOC09:48 06:48 GMT
The Goddess Sakhmet
The Goddess Sakhmet

By Heather Yamour

WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (KUNA) -- After a two-year, multi-million dollar renovation, the Smithsonian's Freer and Sackler Galleries is reopening with an exhibit highlighting ancient artifacts from the Middle East that will resonate with the world's contemporary obsession with cats.
The "Divine Felines: Cats of Ancient Egypt" exhibit, explores the role and meaning of cats in Ancient Egypt from household pets to symbols of divinity.
The 80-pieces on display are on loan from New York's Brooklyn Museum until January 2018 and showcase felines' critical role in Ancient Egypt's political, religious and social life.
Curators hope to show cat lovers that long before the world became obsessed with online cat videos, gifs and memes, felines were adored and immortalized in ancient pop culture. In addition to "Divine Felines", there are interactive exhibitions on Buddhism across Asia, Bells of Ancient China and an installation by acclaimed artist Subodh Gupta. (end) hy

  • Striding Sphinx, represented ‘protective aggression’ and was likely used for religious rituals
  • Stela with the Gods Bes and Tutu, circa 332030 BC, depicts two powerful gods
  • Sculptor’s Model Head of Lion Roaring circa
  • The Goddess Sakhmet’s lioness face symbolizes feline power and fierceness
  • Cat Coffin, circa 664-30 BC, contains mummified remains of felines
  • Coffin and Cover of Princess Mayet, circa 2008 BC, King Mentuhotep’s wife
  • Cat’s Head, circa 30 BC-3 CE, featuring ornate gold earrings