A white, possibly originally turquoise, faience Egyptian amulet of the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet. She is depicted standing with both arms by her side. Her face is finely carved, with an elongated snout. She wears a solar disc with uraeus upon her feline head. The figure leans against a back pillar on the reverse, with a suspension loop pierced longitudinally through the upper section. Earthly encrustations visible to the surface. The base is chipped. 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. 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. Measurements: H 5.8cm x W 1.5cm x D 1.2 cm Provenance: Ex. early 20th century U.K. collection