Statues of Bastet
Date
1851
Creator
James Faed, the Elder (1821, British) , Engraver
Charles Piazzi Smyth (1819 - 1900, British) , Astronomer
Charles Piazzi Smyth (1819 - 1900, British) , Astronomer
Object type
Library reference
R63992
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 239mm
width (print): 298mm
width (print): 298mm
Subject
Description
View of a row of ancient Egyptian statues of Bastet, the cat-headed deity worshipped in Bubastis, Lower Egypt. The sculptures were collected by John Lee and displayed at Hartwell House, Buckinghamshire, England.
Plate 9 from the book Aedes Hartwellianae, or notices of the manor and mansion of Hartwell, by W.H. Smyth (London, 1851). Inscribed above right: ‘Plate 9’ Inscribed below: ‘COLOSSAL STATUES OF BUBASTIS AT HARTWELL. C.P.S. DELT. J. FAED, SCULPT.’
The accompanying text describes the objects: ‘…some colossal basalt statues of Bubastis or Pasht, the Diana of Mizraim, which were purchased by Dr. Lee at the sale of Mr. Barker’s collection, in 1833. These figures, being too great both on weight and magnitude for reception into the Museum, are accommodated with a roomy hall at the stables…where they sit in grim array. Lee’s main collection, including Egyptian antiquities, was displayed in a long gallery museum on the north side of the first floor of Hartwell House.
John Lee [formerly Fiott] (1783-1866) British antiquary and astronomer was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1831.
William Henry Smyth (1788-1865) British naval officer and surveyor was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1826.
Charles Piazzi Smyth (1819-1900) British astronomer was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1857.
Plate 9 from the book Aedes Hartwellianae, or notices of the manor and mansion of Hartwell, by W.H. Smyth (London, 1851). Inscribed above right: ‘Plate 9’ Inscribed below: ‘COLOSSAL STATUES OF BUBASTIS AT HARTWELL. C.P.S. DELT. J. FAED, SCULPT.’
The accompanying text describes the objects: ‘…some colossal basalt statues of Bubastis or Pasht, the Diana of Mizraim, which were purchased by Dr. Lee at the sale of Mr. Barker’s collection, in 1833. These figures, being too great both on weight and magnitude for reception into the Museum, are accommodated with a roomy hall at the stables…where they sit in grim array. Lee’s main collection, including Egyptian antiquities, was displayed in a long gallery museum on the north side of the first floor of Hartwell House.
John Lee [formerly Fiott] (1783-1866) British antiquary and astronomer was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1831.
William Henry Smyth (1788-1865) British naval officer and surveyor was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1826.
Charles Piazzi Smyth (1819-1900) British astronomer was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1857.
Related fellows
Associated place