An Egyptian amulet in the form of the air god Shu, made from turquoise faience. The god is depicted kneeling upon a flat base with one knee to the ground and the other bent. His arms are raised and bent at the elbows at a ninety-degree angle to hold a small sun disc over his head. There is a supporting column to the reverse, through which the amulet has been perforated horizontally for suspension. Earthly encrustation and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as minor chips, scratches, and pitting. Due to its age, some of the definition of the amulet has worn away. 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. In Egyptian mythology Shu was the god of air, wind and the serenity associated with such elements. In the Heliopolitan creation myth Shu separates the sky from the Earth, initiating the creation of life. His kneeling representation, as an amulet, alludes to this myth. The sun disc seen between the raised arms represents the vast sky. He was also depicted iconographically wearing an ostrich feather and was often associated with Ma’at (truth). Measurements: L 1.9cm x W 1cm Provenance: Ex. early 20th century U.K. collection