A small finely glazed turquoise-blue faience amulet of a vervet monkey. The animal is shown standing with its paws to its head, supported by its tail, on an integral base. Suspension loop at the back.
 
Egyptian Late Dynastic-Ptolemaic period: Circa 6th-1st century B.C.
 
Condition: Very Fine; complete and intact; a few light accretions.
Height 3 cms (1.1 ins).
 
Provenance: From a private collection acquired by the previous owner's father in the 1950's.
 
Reference: See Carol Andrews' Amulets of Ancient Egypt (London 1994) ill. 71b for similar.
 
Perhaps this amulet, based on the creature's known sexual habits, was worn as a magical sexual aid in this world and the next (Andrews).
 
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