Egyptian Bes Amulet Modelled in Gold

£ 1,000.00

A finely detailed Egyptian amulet, cast in gold in the shape of the god Bes’ face. The dwarf deity is shown frontally, wearing a plumed headdress and featuring a long beard and a grotesque expression. The reverse appears flat and unworked, with a single bar pierced for attachment. Such amulet might have been buried with the deceased inside the wrappings of the mummy or could have been also worn as part of an elaborate necklace.

Date: Circa 664-332 BC
Period: Late Period
Condition: Extremely fine, complete and intact. Signs of ageing to the surface. The piece is suitable for modern wear with care.

SOLD

Product Code: ES-75
Category: Tags: ,

The Egyptians wore amulets as decorative jewellery, but they also served a practical purpose, being thought to bestow power and protection upon the wearer. Many of the amulets have been found inside the wrappings of mummies, as they were used to prepare the deceased for the afterlife. Amulets of Bes were worn on a regular basis and were common to young women. In Egyptian mythology and culture Bes acted as a protector of the household, of women in labour and small children. He was a marriage god and a deity that overlooked women’s adornment habits. Thus, he was often carved on mirrors and toiletries. In addition, he was a symbol of fecundity and a protector of sleep, ensuring sweet dreams. The frequent occurrence of Bes’ images throughout the later Dynastic Period is testament to his popularity. Bes continued to be a popularly depicted protective deity well into the Graeco-Roman period.

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

Dimensions H 1 cm
Metal

Gold

Egyptian Mythology

Bes

Region

North Africa

Reference: For a similar item, The British Museum, item EA54386 .