This is the rating and price for Large Egyptian Terracotta Mold Of Bes, Ex-Bonhams, 2013

Description : Egypt, Roman period, ca. 1st century BCE to 2nd century CE. A sizeable terracotta mold of Bes, the dwarf god who watched over and protected the members of a household - particularly the women and children - with the magical sign sa. The mold has a flat base, rounded sides, and a rounded triangular appearance. The interior contains a large, deep-sunken relief face of the diminutive deity in a classic characterization, with perky ears, almond-shaped eyes, a broad nose, puffy cheeks, and an outstretched tongue. Artisans would fill molds like this example with soft marl clay, a material that was easier to bake at higher temperatures. The terracotta housing for the molded face was able to withstand far-greater temperatures, thus allowing for repeated use in creating multiple copies. An exceedingly rare example from the later epochs of ancient Egypt! Size: 6.625 W x 8.125 H (16.8 cm x 20.6 cm). Bes, the bandy-legged leonine dwarf god, was an apotropaic deity, the protector of the home, children, and women in pregnancy and childbirth. In his role as protector of the home he was thought to dispel bad dreams, and by increasing virility in men and fertility in women, he was seen as a symbol of fecundity. When depicted in full form, he is generally depicted nude, wearing a lion's mane, a plumed headdress, and a tail. He is also seen dancing, brandishing a sword, or frightening off evil spirits by playing music. Bes continued to be a popularly depicted protective deity well into the Graeco-Roman Period. Provenance: private Davis collection, Houston, Texas, USA, ex-Bonhams London Antiquities Auction, May 8, 2013, lot 136, ex-Joseph Klein collection, formed in New York, New York, USA between 1941 and 1980, thence by descent 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. #132835
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