Bidspirit auction | Egyptian Gold Bes Amulet

Egyptian Gold Bes Amulet - Late New Kingdom-Third Intermediate Period, 1070-900 B.C. Mask of Bes with tall plumed headdress, vertical bar to the reverse. Cf. Andrews, C., and van Dijk, J., Objects for Eternity: Egyptian Antiquities from the W. Arnold Meijer Collection, Mainz am Rhein, 2006, p.217, no.3.27, for a less fine example. 5/8 in. (3.6 grams, 18 mm). From an early 20th century French collection. Bes became one of ancient Egypt's most popular apotropaic deities from the New Kingdom onwards. Despite his rather fearful appearance, Bes was the patron and protector of pregnant women and children. He was also believed to provide protection from snakes.