Upper Left: Amulet of the goddess Taweret Third Intermediate Period, ca. 1075-656 B.C.E. Faience (glazed composition), H: 6.0 W: 2.0 D: 2.4 cm Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1907.21 Lower Left: Amulet of Bes Third Intermediate Period or later, ca. 1075-656 B.C.E or later Faience (glazed composition), H: 4.1 W: 2.2 D: 1.9 cm Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1907.386 Upper Right: Amulet of Taweret (aka Thoureis) Possibly Ptolemaic Dynasty, 305-30 B.C.E. Clay, H: 4.4 W: 1.9 D: 0.6 cm Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1908.222 Lower Right: Amulet of dwarf god accompanied by Isis, Nephthys, and Nefertum Third Intermediate Period, ca. 1075-656 B.C.E. Faience (glazed composition), H: 4.4 W: 2.2 D: 1.6 cm Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1908.87

(From Museum website): "Small amulets of faience, stone, ceramic, metal, or glass, were common possessions in ancient Egypt. They were most often fashioned in the form of gods and goddesses or of animals sacred to those deities. Amulets gave their owners magical protection from a wide variety of ills and evil forces, including sickness, infertility, and death in childbirth. They were often provided with loops so they could be strung and worn like a necklace. Some amulets were made to place on the body of the deceased in order to protect the soul in the hereafter. "Taweret, the hippopotamus goddess, was the goddess of women and children and, most importantly, of the moment of childbirth. With her rounded belly and pendulous breasts indicating a pregnant female, Taweret was associated most specifically with childbirth, and she was often depicted watching over the birthing bed. Taweret amulets would have been worn during life by women and children. In the tomb, they were placed on the body of the deceased as a symbol of rebirth." (Regarding piece at lower right: from Museum website): "This amulet is in the form of the naked dwarf god Pataikos, who protected humans from dangerous creatures. He was often depicted holding a knife in each hand and standing on crocodiles; on top of his head is a scarab beetle, a popular symbol of rebirth. The dwarf god was often shown with other protective deities, represented (as in this example) in profile on the sides and back of the amulet: the goddess Isis; her sister and helper, Nephthys; and the lotus god, Nefertum." Trying to salvage some of the fuzzy photos, here is a monkey amulet: F1908.220 My trace of museum photo Bes and Taweret @ OIM Amulets of Thoth @ OIM