Description:

Egypt, Ptolemaic to Roman period, ca. 332 BCE to 200 CE. A faience amulet of discoid form featuring the head of Bes, the dwarf deity known as a protector of women, children, and the weak. The god is depicted traditionally with a straight beard, arched brows, large ears, an open mouth, and a flat headdress, while an incised cross adorns the verso. The ribbed periphery features a lateral drill hole allowing the piece to be worn as a bead or pendant. Bes watched over the household, particularly the women and children of the house, protecting them with the magical sign sa. An amulet like this one was made to be worn for protection, perhaps by a mother. Size: 0.9" Diameter (2.3 cm)

Provenance: private Matrisciano collection, Thousand Oaks, California, USA, before 2002

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#176422

  • Condition: Light surface wear commensurate with age, but otherwise intact, excellent, and wearable with nice preservation of detail and earthen deposits in recessed areas.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

May 25, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000