Royal Egyptian Artifact – "القطة المصرية" (al-Qiṭṭa al-Miṣriyya) – "small Egyptian Cat" (pharaonic schist)

story:

In the forgotten corners of ancient Egypt, beyond the great pyramids and the mighty Nile, there was once a hidden temple, dedicated not to the gods of men, but to the goddess Bastet herself — the goddess of protection, fertility, and the hidden arts. This temple, older than the dynasties of the Pharaohs, was built in a place so secret that even the sun itself rarely touched its walls.

Guarding the entrance of this temple was not a statue or a priest — but a cat, with eyes that glowed like the twin moons. This cat, known only as Sekhmet’s Watcher, was no ordinary creature. It was a being of ancient magic, created by the goddess Bastet to protect the secrets that lay within the temple’s walls — secrets so powerful that even the gods themselves feared them.

The cat had been given the gift of eternal life. It would never age. It would never sleep. It would never speak. Instead, it simply watched — its gaze unwavering, its eyes capturing the very souls of any who dared approach. Those who entered the temple in search of its treasures were always met with a soft, eerie meow and the sharp gaze of the cat.

Material:

Pharaonic schist:

Refers to a variety of metamorphic stones widely used by the ancient Egyptians from 3100 to 30 BC. This stone is characterized by its layered composition, which facilitates its shaping and carving. Schist is composed of minerals such as mica, chlorite, and talc, giving it a lustrous sheen and a smooth surface. These qualities made it a valuable material for fine sculptures, ritual objects, and funerary items. The ancient Egyptians preferred schist for its ability to support intricate carvings, making it a prime material for temple statues, stelae, and tomb artifacts, which often held religious significance.

DIMENSIONS:

L:  3.2  inches

D: 4.3  inches

H: 7.5  inches

weight:  1.4 lb