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| View Original: | Egyptian - Pantheistic Bes - Walters 541019 - Three Quarter.jpg (976x1024) | |||
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| Keywords: Egyptian - Pantheistic Bes - Walters 541019 - Three Quarter.jpg This dwarf-like protective deity was very popular in ancient Egypt Known from as early as the Middle Kingdom ca 2000 BC Bes was venerated as a protector of the home family and childbirth and for that reason figures prominently in domestic magic and amulets His close connection to all aspects of fertility and sexuality is demonstrated by the presence of his image in the Birth-houses -shrines associated with temples of the Late Period and the Greco-Roman era He also had a special relation to the goddess Hathor and performed in her retinue as a musician and dancer Bes is represented here as a composite deity He has the nude body of Horus the Child two pairs of wings and four arms two stretched to the sides on top of the wings and two hanging down in front of the body His head has the typical characteristics of Bes with lion mane and ears and a stylized beard On the sides of his head additional animal heads are depicted The eyes of the figure were originally inlaid with gold and his hands which are pierced once held objects perhaps swords century 3 2 BC Greco-Roman bronze cm 12 9 accession number 54 1019 22716 Henry Walters Baltimore date and mode of acquisition unknown Walters Art Museum Henry Walters Acquired by Henry Walters Flight Fantasy Faith Fact Dayton Art Institute Dayton 1953-1954 Daily Magic in Ancient Egypt The Walters Art Museum Baltimore 2006-2007 place of origin Egypt Walters Art Museum license Ancient Egyptian statues in the Walters Art Museum Statuettes of Bes | ||||
