An ancient Egyptian amulet in glazed blue faience in the form of Isis. She is depicted seated upon a throne, holding her infant son Horus. She wears a crown with a sun disc between two horns. The reverse is smooth and unadorned, and the amulet is finely perforated through the head for suspension. Remnants of the original glaze are visible throughout. Some hairline cracks to the face. Encrustations and some discolouration to the surface, as well as some wear consistent with age. The encrustation gives the amulet a yellow tint. 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. Isis is often shown in the pose of nursing her son, Horus, as it reflects her role as life-giver and protector. She is the goddess most commonly associated with birth and creation, on account of her role in the Osirian myth. The goddess enjoyed widespread worship, which extended beyond the confines of Egypt – indeed, the cult of Isis in the Roman Empire received frequent mention in literature. Measurements: Circa H 3.7cm x L 0.9cm x W 1.1cm Provenance: Ex Matania Tiktinsky coll., Haifa.