Egyptian Bes Amulet

£ 300.00

An Ancient Egyptian glazed composition amulet of the dwarf god Bes in deep green faience. Modelled in a grotesque manner, with a grimaced face, a protruding snout and pointy ears. He is depicted with a full beard and loose hair, wearing a tall headdress of four large incised plumes. His body is postured in his typical squatting position with hands on his knees, prominent belly with deep navel and wide chest and long tail hanging down from his back; he is standing on an integral plinth. A horizontal hole for the suspension is drilled at the base of the headdress.

Date: Circa 664-332 BC
Period: Late Period
Condition: Very fine, intact, minor chip to the base of the headdress and minor chip to the back.

SOLD

Product Code: ES-30
Category: Tags: ,

Bes is a popular Egyptian deity, always depicted as grotesque and deformed bearded dwarf, with the huge face of a mask with hybrid monkey-lion features and widened legs between which hangs a long animal’s tail. Bes is the only deity in ancient Egyptian pantheon to be represented exclusively in front perspective. In Ancient Egyptian culture and religion, Bes acted as guardian of women, the household, children, and he was particularly linked to the critical phase of labour and birth. He was also a protector of sleep, ensuring sweet dreams; in fact he was often depicted on the beds to prevent the evil spirits from appearing in dreams.

To discover more about this interesting Ancient Egyptian deity, please visit our relevant post: Bes: Guardian of Women, Children and Sleep.

Dimensions H 2.4 cm
Faience

Green Faience

Egyptian Mythology

Bes

Region

North Africa

Reference: For a similar item, The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 26.7.878.