A finely carved Egyptian amulet in the form of a frog, made from mottled hardstone, possibly diorite. The frog has been rendered naturalistically, with the crouching legs carved fluidly. Attention has been paid to the facial features in particular, with two carved round eyes and a wide mouth. Some hairline cracks but stable and highly decorative. 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. Frog shaped amulets may have been a representation of the frog headed goddess Heqt, the wife of Khum and patron of rebirth and resurrection. They would have been placed on the body of the deceased to encourage rebirth and resurrection. Measurements: (circa) L1.4cm x W 1.3cm x H 1cm Provenance: Ex Paris collection. French gallery, Paris, 1990-2000s.