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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 Pale Green Glazed Faience Shabti Fragment with Hieroglyphs
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Head and torso of a mummiform figure, wearing a tripartite wig and divine beard, with arms crossed and hands holding agricultural implements and a cord for a seed bag over the left shoulder, three horizontal bands of hieroglyphic inscriptions to the lower body; mounted on a wooden display stand. 86 grams, 12.5 cm including stand
From a Scottish gentleman’s collection, Glasgow, formed from the early 2000s.
The owner's name is poorly preserved, although the filiation that follows may read: "...born (to) Djed-mut-ies-ankh" (ms ḏd mwt ı͗w s Ꜥnḫ). -
Egyptian Bronze Seated Harpocrates
Late Period, 664-332 B.C.Estimate: £900 - 1,200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £475
Substantial cast figurine modelled in the round of Harpocrates sitting with hands on his thighs, double crown and sidelock. 389 grams, 16.2 cm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
Harpocrates is the Greek rendering of the Egyptian Hor-pa-khered, which means ‘Horus the Child’. This name refers to Horus as the divine infant of Isis and Osiris. Wearing an amulet of Harpocrates was believed to give the wearer the same protection that Isis offered to her beloved son. Larger bronze statuettes probably served as votive offerings to Harpocrates to secure his favour and protection. -
Egyptian Light Blue Faience Shabti
Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Mummiform figure with a lappet wig and divine beard. 10.77 grams, 64 mm
Ex private collection, London, UK, 1970s-1990s.
