An ancient Egyptian turquoise faience amulet in the form of Anubis, depicted with a jackal head and human body. The deity is shown striding on an integral rectangular base, with his left leg forward and arms by his side. He wears a short kilt and tripartite wig. The reverse of the amulet features a rectangular, dorsal column, perforated near the centre for suspension. Earthly encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as pitting, and minor cracks to the glaze. Chipping to the back of the dorsal pillar. 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. Anubis was associated primarily with the afterlife – he was the god of embalming bodies, and had an important role in the transition between life and death. He ushered souls into the afterlife, and tended to the weighing scale during the Weighing of the Heart – the ceremony that determined whether a soul would be allowed to enter the realm of the dead. Measurements: (circa) L 2.2cm x W 0.6cm Provenance: Ex. early 20th century U.K. collection