ca. 332–30 BC. Ptolemaic Period. Egyptian. A faience amulet glazed blue in a shade typical of this period, depicting the goddess Taweret with the head of a hippo, the hair or wig of a woman, the legs of a lion, the tail and back of a crocodile, and a pregnant stomach with swollen breasts. There is a suspension loop on her back. Like the pregnant female hippos that inspired much of her appearance, Taweret was both fearsome and maternal; this was probably worn to protect a pregnant or new mother, whom Taweret protected by scaring away sickness-bearing demons with her terrifying visage.Provenance: Private London collection; formerly acquired in the UK art market from 1960s-80s collections.Size: L:45mm / W:17mm ; 6.7g