A fine Ancient Egyptian blue faience amulet depicting a cat, most likely the goddess Bastet. The cat is displayed seated with her paws together. The facial features are delicately rendered, with hollowed eyes and pointed ears leading to a straight, pronounced nose and defined cheekbones. Beneath the head, the chest swells, and the rest of the body also features similar naturalistic shaping. The amulet rests on a rectangular base and displays a suspension loop at the back of the neck. Encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age to the surface, such as pitting, scratches, and minor chipping. Chip to the right hind leg. Amulets were popular in Ancient Egypt, and were worn by the living or buried with the dead. The common word for amulet in the dynastic period was ‘mkt’, which means protector, amulets were designed to protect their owners. Amulets were usually modelled in the shape of specific deities. The goddess Bastet was considered to be the daughter of Ra, the sun god, and was originally shown with the features of a lion up until about 1000 BC when she started being portrayed as a cat or human with a cat head. The maternal, protective and hunting characteristics of the cat are the most obvious in Bastet and she is seen as a protector of pregnant women and young children. Bastet amulets would have been worn particularly by women not only to place themselves under the patronage of Bastet, but also in the hope that the wearer might be endowed with the goddess’ fecundity. Dimensions: (circa) H 2cm x L 1.1cm x W 0.5cm Provenance: Early 20th Century UK Collection