Code: 2573
Description: A good-sized turquoise blue faience amulet of Bes, the protector of households, mothers and children, depicted naked and wearing a plumed headdress, with hands clasping a pot belly; a suspension loop on the reverse at the top of the head. Some surface wear, particularly on one side and on one buttock, exposing the core, but an attractive example with good colour and with a well-modelled face.
Size: 44 mm/1.7 ins. high
Culture: Egyptian
Date: Late Period, c. 600-300 B.C.
Provenance: From the collection of Julian Bird (1959-2014) and acquired from Helios Gallery, Kingsdown, Wiltshire, and originally collected in the early 20th Century.
Background: Julian Bird was a passionate collector of Egyptian antiquities, who built up a fine and extensive collection from the 1970s onwards. He sourced his items mainly from the UK market, from specialist dealers, fairs, markets and auctioneers. He was a model collector, carefully documenting his collection, although we do not have his notes on this particular item.
