An Ancient Egyptian ram amulet modelled from turquoise faience. The ram is depicted walking forward on a flat integrated base, with its facial features delicately rendered including its large, curved horns, sunken eyes and a long muzzle. A thin suspension loop is displayed on the ram’s back for suspension. Encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age to the surface, such as pitting, scratches, discolouration and minor chipping. Rams had many different attributes during the Egyptian period. These included fertility and warlike attributes but also power and virility. Therefore, the animal was associated with more than one deity. The symbol of the ram represented the almighty sun and air god Amun-Ra. Amun was originally an important deity in the Hermopolis creation myth. His national importance grew after Thebes became the most important city in Egypt, in which he was the local patron deity. So much so that he became linked with the sun god Ra and was known as the king of the gods. Kush’s deity was depicted as a ram with curved horns and when Egypt conquered the kingdom, Amun became associated with the animal. Another deity linked to the ram is Khnum who was usually depicted with the head of a ram. Khnum was one the earliest known gods who was responsible for the flow of the river Nile. The deity continued into the Greco-Roman periods. Therefore amulets of the ram were thought to invoke protection along with the qualities of these deities. Measurements: (circa) H 1.1cm x L 1.4cm Provenance: Early 20th Century UK Collection