LOT 0047

Egyptian Green Jasper Bes Cosmetic Pot

LATE PERIOD-PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 6TH-2ND CENTURY B.C.

2 5/8 in. (188 grams, 66 mm).

Carved in the round figure of Bes sitting on an ellipsoid base; the god in crouching pose wearing a lionskin girdle, his forearms on his thighs and hands holding the pierced lug handles of a storage jar; the jar and Bes's head topped by a low square modius with a round opening to the top.

Early 20th century South East England, UK, collection.
Formerly in North American collection, 1990s.
From the collection of a London, UK, gentleman.

Accompanied by an academic report by Egyptologist Paul Whelan.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12376-225408.

Cf. Andrews, C., Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, item 96(e) for a less elaborate vessel in the shape of Bes; Staatliches Museum Ägyptischer Kunst, Munich (inv. no. ÄS 4868), for a similarly themed Bes-form cosmetic vessel from the New Kingdom.

This vessel's style continues that of New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period kohl (eye paint) or unguent Bes-shaped containers, suggesting that it served as a household object rather than an item of funerary equipment.