Egyptian faience with turquoise glaze
Egypt, probably New Kingdom (1550-1070 BC)
Characteristic representation of the god Bes as a dwarf with a grotesque face
Low deity to ward off evil spirits
Stylized breasts refer to conception and birth
Hieroglyphics on the back stele
Height: 7 cm
Provenance: German private collection
The god Bes was worshiped in the Ancient Egypt since the 12th dynasty. Here is a particularly expressive figure, which was most likely worn as an amulet

The present amulet presumably originates from the New Kingdom of Egypt (1550-1070 BC) and features a characteristic representation of the god Bes as a dwarf with a grotesque face. In the Egyptian pantheon, Bes was worshiped as a tutelary deity, who exercised his protection during the night. In addition, he was regarded as the god of conception and birth, to which refer the stylized breasts in the present figure. Therefore, the god was often found in woman's chambers. Bes belongs to the group of dwarf gods, showing a mixture of human and animal features. On the back of the present figure is a stele with hieroglyphics.

The figure shows losses to the upper and lower part due to age. The height is 7 cm. (cko)

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