A FINE EGYPTIAN HEMATITE BES AMULET, CIRCA 664-332 B.C. LATE PERIOD

拍品描述

A FINE EGYPTIAN HEMATITE BES AMULET, CIRCA 664-332 B.C. LATE PERIOD This exceptional Egyptian amulet depicts the dwarf god Bes, masterfully carved in dark hematite. His expressive face displays exaggerated features: protruding eyes, broad nose, and an open mouth with the tongue extended—a grimacing expression meant to ward off malevolent forces. He wears a tall feathered headdress with finely incised details and a ribbed band marking the hairline. The god Bes was a powerful protector of households, women, and children, particularly during childbirth, and was believed to repel evil spirits through his fierce and humorous countenance. Hematite, a stone associated with protection and strength, enhances the amulet’s apotropaic significance. This piece exemplifies the Late Period (circa 664–332 B.C.) tradition of meticulous small-scale craftsmanship, where divine figures were rendered with both symbolic intensity and personal intimacy. The deep polish and compact modeling attest to its role as a talisman worn or carried for protection. Height: 3.6cm

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