A bright blue faience amulet of the lion-headed goddess, presumably Sekhmet. She is shown striding forwards, wearing a tight-fitting dress and a tripartite wig, whilst holing the papyrus sceptre to her front. Suspension loop behind the top of her head.
Supplied with an acrylic block for display.
 
Circa 6th-1st century BC. 
 
Very Fine condition; the front section of her foot repaired.
Height 3.8 cms (1.5 ins)
 
Provenance: Provenance: Ex London gallery; previously in a 1930's Home counties UK collection.
 
Literature: Pages 33 and 34: Amulets of Ancient Egypt; Carol Andrews.
 
This representation of Sekhmet, the lion-headed Egyptian goddess of pestilence and war and daughter of the sun god Ra speaks to the power of women in the Egyptian pantheon. She was Goddess of War whilst her destructive force makes her Goddess of Disease, although she was not always a cruel god. If you appealed to her better nature Sekhmet would become the Goddess of Healing and prevent wars.
 
See our blog post on Egyptian amulets