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LOT 0549
Egyptian Faience Bes Amulet
LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.
7/8 in. (3.54 grams, 20 mm).
Rectangular plaque with a head of Bes modelled in low relief on one side and symbols on the reverse; pierced longitudinally.
ProvenanceEx early 20th century collection, London, UK.
FootnotesFrom the New Kingdom onwards, Bes became one of ancient Egypt's most popular apotropaic deities. Despite his somewhat fearsome appearance, Bes served as the patron and protector of pregnant women and children, and was also believed to shield them from snakes.
Double-sided Bes amulets appear during the Third Intermediate Period and continued into the Late Period, possibly perpetuated in part by Levantine demand (Cf. Pierrat-Bonnefois, G., ”Les questions d'identité culturelle que soulèvent certaines faïences de la première moitié du Ier millénaire”, dans Bonadies, L., Chirpanlieva, I., Guillon, É. (dir.), Les Phéniciens, les Puniques et les autres. Échanges et identités en Méditerranée ancienne, Orient & Méditerranée 31, Paris, 2019, pp. 58-60, fig. 5b).
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AUCTIONS:
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Egyptian Alabaster Bowl
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £125
Of conical profile with flattened base, carinated shoulder and stepped rounded rim. 369 grams, 11 cm wide
From a West Country, UK, collection, 1980-2020s. -
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Egyptian Carnelian Scarab Amulet
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Carved in the round scarab with longitudinal piercing. 0.40 grams, 8.5 mm
Ex Belinda Elliston collection, 20th century. -
Large Egyptian Carnelian Scarab
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,925
Naturalistically modelled, featuring detailed head and elytra, with suspension loop on the underside. 3.98 grams, 22 mm
Collection of a lady, circa 1940. Ex Mayfair gallery, London, UK. Ex an important Wiltshire, UK, collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13158-249420.
The scarab amulet was arguably the most ubiquitous symbol in ancient Egypt, representing rebirth, transformation, and protection. Modelled after the scarab beetle, which was associated with the sun god Khepri - believed to roll the sun across the sky - the amulet illustrated the cycle of life and regeneration. Scarabs were commonly placed with the deceased as funerary amulets to ensure safe passage into the afterlife. They also served as seals and personal charms, often inscribed with prayers, names, or protective formulas. Widely used from the early Middle Kingdom (c. 2050 BCE) onwards, scarab amulets reflect both spiritual beliefs and everyday practices in ancient Egyptian life.
