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Source Description

This dwarf-like, protective deity was very popular in ancient Egypt. Bes is represented with the nude body of a dwarf, grotesque facial features, and the ears and mane of a lion. He wears a tall feather-crown and usually rests his hands on his hips. Known from as early as the Middle Kingdom (ca. 2000 BCE), Bes was venerated as a protector of the home, family, and childbirth, and for that reason figures prominently in domestic magic and amulets. His close connection to all aspects of fertility and sexuality is demonstrated by the presence of his image in the "Birth-houses"-shrines associated with temples of the Late Period and Ptolemaic period. He also had a special relation to the goddess Hathor and performed in her retinue as a musician and dancer.This amulet-pendant presents the god in a standing posture. The stocky figure is compact and dominated by the massive feather crown. Dark blue markings show the structure of the feathers and highlight the armlets and bracelets worn by the god. The amulet has a rectangular base and a loop on the back.

Scholar Source Context

Document identity
localId
4325
label
Bes
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
4
Source metadata
id
4325
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
Bes
description
This dwarf-like, protective deity was very popular in ancient Egypt. Bes is represented with the nude body of a dwarf, grotesque facial features, and the ears and mane of a lion. He wears a tall feather-crown and usually rests his hands on his hips. Known from as early as the Middle Kingdom (ca. 2000 BCE), Bes was venerated as a protector of the home, family, and childbirth, and for that reason figures prominently in domestic magic and amulets. His close connection to all aspects of fertility and sexuality is demonstrated by the presence of his image in the "Birth-houses"-shrines associated with temples of the Late Period and Ptolemaic period. He also had a special relation to the goddess Hathor and performed in her retinue as a musician and dancer.This amulet-pendant presents the god in a standing posture. The stocky figure is compact and dominated by the massive feather crown. Dark blue markings show the structure of the feathers and highlight the armlets and bracelets worn by the god. The amulet has a rectangular base and a loop on the back.
provenance
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
date
late 4th-mid 3rd century BCE (early Ptolemaic)
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
Ceramics
amulets
pendants
figurines
imageCount
4
pageCount
4
source
import
dimensions
units
cm
width
5.3
height
2.4
depth
0.8
dimensionsRaw
H: 2 1/16 x W: 15/16 x D: 5/16 in. (5.28 x 2.4 x 0.84 cm)
Source extras
cul
Egyptian
dynasty
early Ptolemaic Dynasty
med
Egyptian faience with blue and black glaze
creator_ids
6182
collection_ids
EGY
exhibition_ids
2172
Page inventory
seq
1
type
photo
mediaId
793322b7f2ccf8d4
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
2
type
photo
mediaId
64935776ee228088
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
3
type
photo
mediaId
d8aed603ea673b94
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
4
type
photo
mediaId
1073dae13e63bee7
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no