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Barnebys HQ
Brahegatan 10
BOX 5038
114 37 Stockholm
All auctions / Ancient Art / Ancient Egyptian Faience Bes amulet. 4,6 cm L. 664 - 332 BC
Bes amulet Ancient Egypt, Late Period, 664 - 332 BC Faience 4,6 cm height. Provenance: Private collection, Germany, 1960. Condition: Good, see photos. Bes was one of the most popular protective deities in ancient Egypt. Unlike many Egyptian gods who were depicted in profile, Bes was shown frontally, with a dwarf-like body, leonine features, a protruding tongue, and a feathered crown. He was associated with protection of the household, childbirth, music, and joy. His fierce and exaggerated appearance was intended to frighten away evil spirits and harmful forces. Flat circular amulets made of faience bearing the face of Bes were widely produced, especially during the Late Period. These amulets were typically small, disk-shaped plaques molded with the god’s expressive facial features in relief. The bright blue or green glaze of faience enhanced their symbolic meaning, as these colors were linked to regeneration, vitality, and protective magic. Such amulets were often pierced at the top so they could be worn as pendants or sewn onto clothing. They functioned as personal protective charms, particularly for women and children. In domestic contexts, they may also have been placed in homes to guard against illness, misfortune, and malevolent spirits. The circular form emphasized the face of Bes as a direct, watchful presence. These objects combined bold iconography with accessible materials, making divine protection available in everyday life throughout ancient Egyptian society.
Estimate:$1,366.88
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Estimate:
$1,366.88
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