The Egyptians identified many of their gods with animals or birds: Horus with the hawk, for example, or Bastet with the cat. They also thought other animals were sacred to gods: the ichneumon and shrew-mouse to Horus, for example. The Egyptians killed and mummified these ‘sacred’ animals. The mummified animal, sometimes in a shrine or box in the shape of the relevant animal or bird, became an offering to the god.

Animals that were treated this way included the hawk, shrew-mouse and snake, here in bronze boxes, and cats. The wooden cat statue holds a mummified kitten.