This exquisite ancient Egyptian faience amulet represents Tawaret (also Taweret, Tauret), the protective goddess of childbirth, fertility, and the safeguarding of women, children, and the vulnerable. Dated to New Kingdom- Late Period Egypt (circa 1550–600 BC), the figure is executed in vibrant blue-green glazed faience, a color symbolic of the fertility of the Nile and the goddess’s life-giving powers. Tawaret’s distinctive composite form combines the feet of a lioness, the spine and tail of a crocodile, the breasts and rounded belly of a pregnant woman, and the head of a hippopotamus — blending the dangerous and the protective into a single potent symbol. In front of her legs are a pair of sa-symbols, the hieroglyphic loops for protection, which were commonly used as amulets to safeguard the wearer or household. A small discoid headdress crowns her head, emphasizing her divine status. Please note: We photographed the amulet under varying intensities of natural light to best capture its true coloration: Under lower light, the faience naturally appears a deeper green, whereas in bright natural light it reveals a luminous, almost teal-blue glow. This optical variability aligns with the known properties of ancient Egyptian faience, whose silica-based vitreous glaze scatters light depending on angle and intensity. Studies (e.g., Nicholson & Shaw, Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology, 2000) note that these shifts, along with areas of differential surface gloss, are typical of long-term burial and handling, reflecting both original firing and natural wear over millennia. Small and portable, this amulet would have been worn or displayed in a domestic setting as a protective charm, linking daily life with spiritual safeguarding. The well-preserved glaze and subtly mottled surfaces reflect centuries of handling and ritual reverence, highlighting the object’s enduring role as a personal talisman. Comparative References: Objects of similar size, iconography, and function are found in museum collections of Ancient Egyptology, demonstrating the widespread devotion to Tawaret as a guardian of women and children. Comparable Specimen 1- (closely matched worn example) https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/X__4056 Comparable Specimen 2- (parallel iconography; different composition material) https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y_EA35700 Comparable Specimen 3 (commercial example- near identical)- https://www.bidsquare.com/online-auctions/artemis-gallery/egyptian-faience-tawaret-amulet-w-sa-symbols-7240566 Specimen Details: Age / Period: New Kingdom- Late Period (c. 1550-600 BC) Origin: Egypt, Africa Material: Glazed faience, blue-green pigment Technique: Moulded faience with painted or inlaid pigment Dimensions: 4.8cm H (overall) x 1cm W x 2cm D (base) Condition: Preserved with natural patina and subtle glaze variations Function: Protective amulet; designed for personal wear or household display Provenance: Acquired in 2025 in United Kingdom by ourselves from a private collector, who acquired the piece in around 2024 from an old pre-1990 UK collection of Ancient Artefacts. This piece offers a direct connection to ancient Egyptian domestic religious practice, illustrating the role of amulets in safeguarding family and daily life, and represents an exceptional example of New Kingdom craftsmanship and spiritual symbolism. Shipped from the UK.