Fayence-Amulett des Bes

Culture: Faience Amulet of Bes

Period: Late period, 664-332 B.C.

Material: Faience

Dimensions: 4.7 cm high

Price: Sold

Ref: 1475

Provenance: Swiss private collection K. Meyer (died in 1976). By descent to his son Marc Meyer, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland. In 2021 bestowed to Elfriede Blumen, Vienna.

Condition: The right ear missing, otherwise very beautifully preserved.

Description: Finely worked out amulet of dark green faience depicting the dwarf-like tutelary god Bes. He stands with legs apart on a rectangular plinth and his hands formed to fists pressing against the hips. Bes is without clothes, his phallus and the overlarge navel on the bulging belly are clearly worked out. His face is typically grimacing, with a shaggy beard, bulbous nose and broad mouth with thick lips. The god wears a high feather crown, his pierced ears (one is missing) are protruding. His long tail hangs straight down and reaches the plinth. Bes protects against dangerous animals in the desert, such as snakes and scorpions. At the same time, he was worshiped as the god of procreation and birth and was considered therefore as the protector of pregnant women and newborns. See for the depiction Christie’s auction on 7 December 2011, lot 339.