A finely carved Ancient Egyptian carnelian amulet designed in the shape of a poppy seed head. The wide body is set atop a round, flat base and tapers gently to a flat tip featuring a perforation for suspension. The vivid orange-red of the body features a beautiful cream striation. Some very minor chipping appears on the bulbous part of the pendant. 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. Poppy amulets were commonly made from carnelian, or red faience, to imitate the colour of the real flower. Alternatively, genuine poppy heads and flowers were strung together to be worn by the living, or used to adorn mummies. Poppy amulets are generally associated with resurrection, although their precise meaning remains unknown. Dimensions: 1.4cm length Provenance: From a UK collection, 1920's-1940's.