An Ancient Egyptian turquoise-coloured faience amulet of a recumbent crocodile. The crocodile is depicted in a highly stylistic manner, lying on a flat rectangular base. The crocodile's scales are delineated with incised hatched lines. This pendant is likely a representation of Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of fertility who is said to have created the waters of the Nile. There is a chip to the top of the head of the crocodile. Some earthly encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age such as minor pitting to the body. The space under crocodile's head is perforated for suspension. 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. Ancient Egyptians worshipped crocodiles as a physical manifestation of Sobek, the god of the river and swamp, often portrayed as a male with the head of a crocodile and a human body. Sobek was revered as a deity of the earliest forces of creation, and represented both the danger and the life-giving aspects of the water. Measurements: H 0.6cm x L 2.1cm Provenance: Ex. early 20th century U.K collection