A fine Ancient Egyptian amulet of a feline head, likely a lion or lionness, modelled in faience. Rendered naturalistically, the facial features of the feline, including its almond-shaped eyes, round pupils, wide nose, rounded snout, and curved nostrils, are still clearly visible. Two rounded horizontal protrusions on either side of the lion's head represent its ears. The reverse is flat and unworked. At the top, a ribbed loop has been added for suspension. Earthly encrustations and signs of wear as consistent with age, such as minor chipping, scratches, cracks, and flaking. Amulets were popular in Ancient Egypt, and were worn by the living or buried with the dead. The common word for amulet in the dynastic period was mkt, which means protector: amulets were designed to protect their owners. The goddess Bastet was considered to be the daughter of Ra, the sun god, and was originally shown with the features of a lion up until about 1000 BC when she started being portrayed as a cat or human with a cat head. Sekhmet was the fierce goddess of the Memphite area, forming a powerful trio with her husband, the creator-god Ptah, and their son, Nerfertum. Sekhmet was goddess of the sun and war: she symbolised the scorching heat of the sun, and brought plague and pestilence. She was seen as the fiercest of warriors, and was the protector of the pharaohs. Measurements: (circa) L 4.3cm x W 4.1cm Provenance: Ex collection of a Surrey lady, circa 1940s.