An ancient Egyptian amulet, made from dark blue glazed faience, depicting the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet. She is portrayed standing, with one leg striding forward, positioned on a small integrated rectangular plinth. Her arms hang by her sides. On her head she wears the tripartite wig, its front locks falling over each shoulder. Her facial features are typically feline, with a broad forehead, flat, elongated snout and small ears. There is a perforated loop at the back of the head for suspension. There are typical signs of ageing such as minor white hairline cracks to the glaze and earthly encrustations. Sekhmet was the fierce goddess of the Memphite area, forming a powerful trio with her husband, the creator-god Ptah, and their son, Nerfertum. Sekhmet was goddess of the sun and war: she symbolised the scorching heat of the sun, and brought plague and pestilence. She was seen as the fiercest of warriors, and was the protector of the pharaohs. It was said that the desert was caused by her breath alone, and she was rendered as a lion because this big cat was the bravest hunter known to the Egyptians. Her destructive wrath could be placated, however, by her priestesses performing annual rituals before statues of the goddess. This has led to many images of Sekhmet being preserved. Measurements: L 3.5cm x W 1cm Provenance: Ex. early 20th century U.K. collection