Culture: EGYPTIAN.

Date: 525 - 404 BC, (LATE PERIOD, DYNASTY XXVII).



Material: GREEN STONE.

Provenance: EX: EARLY PRIVATE COLLECTION FROM THE 1960'S.

Condition: MINOR REPAIR.

Measurements: 4.5 INCHES HIGH, (11.5 CMS).

This lovely statue depicting the Egyptian dwarf god Bes. He was originally the protector of pharoahs, and he became very popular in every day egyptian life. He was the protector of women and children. He had no temples, and overtime he became the champion of everything good, and the enemy of everything evil. He was also the god of war, who protected the pharoah and the egyptians from evil spirits.He was also protecting women during childbirth: If a woman was expecting a difficult childbirth, a statue of bes, similar to this one, would be placed next to her, to invoke assistance on her behalf. Bes also remained next to a child after birth for protection and entertainment. It was often said that when a child smiles for no reason, it is beacuse of bes presence.

Cf: For similar examples, see lot279, Sotheby's New York Antiquities Auction, 14 December 1993. See also lot 16, Christie's New York Antiquities Auction, 30 May 1977, see also lot 43, Christie's New York Antiquities Auction, 5 June 1998, and lot 279, Sotheby's New York Antiquities Auction, 14 December 1993.

Antiquities
Ancient Egyptian