An ancient Egyptian amulet, made from blue glazed faience, depicting the lion-headed goddess Mut-Sekhmet. She is portrayed standing, with one leg striding forward, positioned on a small integrated rectangular plinth. Her arms hang by her sides. On her head, she wears the tripartite wig, its front locks falling over each shoulder, which is surmounted by the white crown of Upper Egypt. She wears a short, close-fitting dress. Her facial features are typically feline, with a broad forehead, flat, elongated snout and small rounded ears. The amulet features a dorsal pillar to the reverse, which has been perforated for suspension. Earthly encrustations to the surface. Signs of wear as consistent with age, such as minor pitting, chipping, including a large chip to the base, and scratches. 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. Mut was a mother goddess in Ancient Egyptian mythology, often depicted wearing the double crown, as a woman. By the end of the New Kingdom Period, any female figure depicted wearing the double crown could likely be identified as Mut. As a result of her assimilations with other goddesses, such as Bastet or Sekhmet, she was also depicted as a lioness, such as this example, a cat, a cobra, a vulture, or a cow. She was worshipped as the wife of Amun-Ra and the mother of everything, especially Khonsu. She was a protector of young women, who could assist with finding a partner or conceiving children. Measurements: (circa) L 1.6cm x W 0.9cm x H 5.2cm Provenance: Ex. early 20th century U.K. collection