Object Description
An Egyptian amulet of the god Bes, made from glazed turquoise faience. The god is depicted squatting with his hands resting upon his knees. His facial features are exaggerated with sweeping brows, large almond-shaped eyes and a beard. His head is proportionally larger than his body. Upon his head is a small plume of feathers, as is typical of the gods’ representation. There is a lion’s mane and tail depicted on the reverse of the amulet.
Bes was known as a dwarf god and considered a protector of the home and of women and children. He was an unusual deity in the Egyptian pantheon as very little is known of his creation and he had no dedicated temples. He was however one of the most important gods and was worshiped fastidiously across Egyptian homes, with small dedicated shrines. Visually he was portrayed front-on, in comparison to a profile view seen of Egyptian wall art. He was described as dwarf god, a warrior with a demonic quality to him and was a culmination of man and animal. As a warrior he was seen as a protector, initially especially for women and children but this role grew to include anyone who needed it.
For example, soldiers would especially call on Bes’ protection before battle, and his image would be carved into their shields. Similarly, women would carry amulets of the dwarf-god and tattoo his image on their bodies. Essentially, even though his veneration did not extend to temples and state worship, Bes and his image had great apotropaic qualities.
Date: Circa 664 – 332 BC
Period: Late Period