Egyptian faience dual male/female Bes amulet

E59

£400.00

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A rare bichrome blue and yellow glazed faience amulet depicting the god Bes in dual aspect, as both a male and a female figure standing side-by-side. The male Bes holds a threatening sword over his head while the female aspect is shown naked and holding a defensive shield.

This amulet depicting a god as both male and female serves as a fascinating insight into the concept of gender duality in antiquity.

Culture
Egypt, Roman period, c. 1st Century AD

Size
4.2 x 3.9 cms

Condition
Ancient chipping to extremities otherwise intact

Provenance
Ex. deceased estate, Carcassone, France; collection formed c. 1900-1950.

For a related amulet in the Petrie Museam, London, please see:
https://collections.ucl.ac.uk/Details/collect/35337

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