Egypt, Late Period, Dynasties 26 to 31, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A carved and glazed steatite pendant depicting Sekhmet, the lion-headed female deity who represents power and might, with a sun disc on her head, sitting on a throne. Sekhmet was also sometimes represented by the midday sun's scorching heat, and in this aspect sometimes called "Nesert" or flame, her heat further bolstering her terrifying presence. A suspension loop is carved on the backside of the sun disc. Size: .5" W x 2.75" H (1.3 cm x 7 cm)

Sekhmet (Sakhmet) is among the oldest Egyptian deities. She is typically depicted as a lion-headed woman, sometimes wearing a sun disc on her head as we see in this example. When shown sitting, she usually hold an ankh of life; when standing, she wields a sceptre formes from papyrus, the symbol of Lower Egypt, the area with which she is most often associated. Her name comes from the Egyptian word "Sekhem" which translates to "power" or "might" - indeed Sekhmet is sometimes translated as "Powerful One" or "She who is Powerful." Sekhmet is also mentioned in several spells of The Book of the Dead, discussed as both a creative and a destructive force, but above all, the guardian of Ma'at (balance or justice) who defies evil.

Provenance: Ex - Prominent LA County collector who acquired these prior to 2000

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