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Origin: Egypt
Circa: 300 BC to 100 BC
Dimensions: 6.125" (15.6cm) high x 4" (10.2cm) wide
Collection: Egyptian
Style: Ptolemaic Period
Medium: Terracotta
The grinning dwarf god Bes was a popular deity in Egypt over many centuries, one whose worship was absorbed almost intact into Hellenistic culture. His function was to protect mankind from all evil and malevolence, and to amuse women in childbirth so that they would forget the pain. This plump and charming votive, offered at an ancient temple of the god, keeps the earlier Egyptian form of Bes but shows the influence of Greek naturalism. We are reassured that Bes’ benevolent magic is still strong, warding off all that is less than good. - (PF.0230)
Antiquities
Ancient Egyptian
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