Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A mold-formed faience amulet of Tawaret (sometimes Tauret), the ancient Egyptian goddess of child birthing and protector of women, children, and the weak. Tawaret is a composite goddess with features of a lioness and crocodile, but primarily hippopotamus; all greatly feared but immensely-respected animals in ancient Egyptian beliefs. Covered in a soft turquoise-hued glaze, the goddess is depicted striding atop an integral rectangular plinth, with arms at her sides and her gaze affixed in a forward direction. A small, laterally-drilled suspension loop on the back would have been used to fashion a necklace or other jewelry accessory. Custom wooden display stand included. Size: 0.75" W x 2.5" H (1.9 cm x 6.4 cm); 3.8" H (9.7 cm) on included custom stand.

For a slightly-smaller yet very similar example, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 04.2.365: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/545344

Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s

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#140839

Body reattached to legs and snout reattached to face, each with small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Minor nicks and abrasions to base, legs, body, and head, with fading to some finer details and glaze coloration. Light earthen deposits throughout.