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Egyptian Antiquities :
Egyptian Amulets : Egyptian Faience Amulet Depicting The God Bes
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Egyptian Faience Amulet Depicting The God Bes - SP.011
Origin: Egypt
Circa: 664
BC
to 525
BC
Collection: Amulets
Style: 26th Dynasty
Medium: Faience
Additional Information: Found in Israel
$2,500.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
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The first examples of amulets appeared in
Ancient Egypt as early as 4000 B.C. Believed
to possess magical powers that protected the
wearer or bestowed upon the properties they
symbolized, amulets were worn both by the
living as well as the dead. Throughout their
evolution, talismans were crafted from a
variety of materials including precious metals
such as gold and silver, semiprecious stone like
jasper and carnelian, as well as other more
affordable glazed compositions such as faience.
The particular powers of an individual amulet
were based upon its specific shape, although
the material and even the color of the charm
could affect its magical abilities. While many of
the amulets created to be worn by the living
could also be worn after death, there also
existed a specific group of charms that were
made specifically to be placed upon the
mummified remains of the deceased. All
together, amulets represent an important
class of Ancient Egyptian art that furthers our
understanding of their complex religious
beliefs.
The grinning dwarf god Bes was one of the most
popular deities in the Egyptian pantheon, one
whose worship was absorbed almost intact into
Hellenistic culture. He was a popular subject for
amulets, and part of his appeal appears to have
been the perception that he was more accessible
and willing to listen to the common man than
were the intimidating national gods such as
Amun, Osiris, or Horus. In addition to being a
patron god of music and art, Bes was believed to
protect mankind from all evil and malevolence
and thus is a fitting subject for amulets. He was
also held to be a protector of pregnant women,
amusing them during childbirth so that they
forget the pain. Bes is usually depicted as a
dwarf with a face that is both leonine and
human.
- (SP.011)
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