An ancient Egyptian blue faience amulet in the form the Egyptian deity, possibly the goddess Taweret, usually depicted as a pregnant hippopotamus, or the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet. The shape of the head and the body are worn and hard to identify precisely. The figure is depicted striding forward on an integrated oblong base. Its arms rest on either side of the torso. A dorsal pillar supports the figure at the back and has been pierced for suspension. Earthly encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as pitting, and minor cracks to the glaze. The Egyptians wore amulets alongside other pieces of jewellery. They were decorative, but also served a practical purpose, being considered to bestow power and protection upon the wearer. Many of the amulets have been found inside the wrappings of mummies, as they were used to prepare the deceased for the afterlife. Measurements: (circa) H 1.9cm x W 0.9cm Provenance: Ex. early 20th century U.K. collection