500 cats in London exhibition . Egyptian models dating in 2600 BC . 500 cats of all sizes , shapes and ages , some of them dating from 2600 BC , which Mr Neville Langton , the member of the Egypt Exploration Society has taken over 25 years to collect , form part of an exhibition arranged by the society at Hinde Street , London . Each one of the cats is of Egyptian origin and figure dating from 300 to 400 BC , show that even in early times the cat was kept as a household pet . One of the most interesting specimens the bronze figure of the cat , which was dedicated to Queen Ankhnesneferibre, reigned about 560 BC . It stands erect , but has feline legs and a tail . The collection was started by Mr Langden ' s wife about 25 years ago and has been built up slowly by the expenditure of a few pounds each year . Photo shows , Mr Neville Langton with some of the cats of the collection . 15 September 1936