Egyptian Osiris Faience Amulet 1000-600 BC

An ancient Egyptian protective amulet crafted from green faience, a quartz-based glazed ceramic highly favoured in antiquity for its symbolic connection to rebirth and vegetation.

Dating from the Third Intermediate Period to the Late Period (circa 1000–600 BC), the piece depicts a stylized, blocky protective deity. While traditionally tagged by collectors as a seated Osiris, its compact, bow-legged posture and broad proportions are highly characteristic of a Pataikos (a dwarf-god manifestation of Ptah) or the household protector deity Bes. These amulets were widely worn in daily life or wrapped within mummy bandages to ward off evil spirits and dangerous animals.

Dimensions - 1.8cm tall

Provenance - UK auction 2023 - previously private collection dating back to 1980s. With original paper label.