A sizeable Egyptian pale blue faience amulet of Bes

A sizeable Egyptian pale blue faience amulet of Bes

Code: 2558

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Description: A sizeable pale blue faience amulet of Bes, the protector of households, mothers and children, depicted squatting naked with hands upon knees. The plumed headdress lost and a horizontal fracture through the head repaired and a chip to one corner of the base, but still a charming depiction.

Size: 39 mm/1.5 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.

Photographed in both artificial and natural light.