Finger-ring of Egyptian faience

Finger-ring of Egyptian faience.
New kingdom c. 1550-1080 BC.
Faience.
This tiny artwork depicts the Egyptian goddess Hathor, shown with the ears of a cow and with her characteristic hairstyle – a parted wig, ending in a spiral curl. Two cats are flanking Hathor. These might be recognized as the goddess Bastet. Both these goddesses were associated with fertility and childbirth. Perhaps the ring was a token of love? Faience is a quartz-based material. The glazed surface is obtained through firing.