Standing figure of the goddess Taweret depicted with a hippopotamus form and crocodile tail, left leg to the fore. There is a suspension lug on the back denoting its use as an amulet and her feet are on a rectangular base. Good workmanship

Bibliography:  For more information, see:

Luiselli, M. M. 2016. 'Living with the Gods: Religion and Daily Life in Ancient Egypt', in S. Boonstra (ed.), Objects Come to Life Virtual Exhibition, Birmingham Egyptology

Notes:  The lug on this object suggests that it was an amulet, probably used in daily life. Taweret was a goddess particularly linked to the female sphere. She was invoked for fertility purposes and to protect women, especially during pregnancy and childbirth. She could be represented either anthropomorphically or, more often, as a standing hippopotamus, sometimes with the sa-symbol of protection and the ankh-symbol of life, with swollen belly and pendulous breasts - a reference to the category of her protegees: pregnant women. Alongside Bes, Taweret was the most popular divine entity worshipped in households in Egypt.

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