The Grayer-Anderson Cat
British Museum
•Bronze with silver plaque and gold jewelry. Around 600 BC.
• Possibly Saqqara, Egypt
The Abyssinian we know today closely resembles the bronze statues and
enthralling paintings of the ancient Egyptian cats, and many believe that
there is little doubt that the Abyssinian is a direct descendant from them.
The ancient features such as the large ears, almond shaped eyes and elegant
composure are nearly identical to the cat we know today as the Abyssinian.
Brian Vesey-Fitzgerald in his book ‘Cats”, points out that by viewing
Egyptian art, the idea that the Abyssinian may very well existed at that time is prevailing. Egyptian bronzes and paintings of cats in ancient Egyptian
emphasize the litheness, elegance, graceful lines, large eyes, rounded contours,
long tail with tabby stripes and alert ears which are distinguishing features
that are seen in the Abyssinians of today.