Figure of Bes with Child
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: Special Exhibitions, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
The dangers of childbirth could be reduced by having images of the god Bes in the tomb. Bes protected women during delivery and then assured the safety of newborn children. Images of Bes were often placed in tombs for both reasons. They ensured the deceased’s safety during rebirth into the next world, a main function of Egyptian tombs.
Bes had a lion’s head and mane and wore a feather headdress. The spots on this figurine suggest the leopard skin Bes sometimes wore.
MEDIUM
Faience
DATES
ca. 1075-656 B.C.E.
PERIOD
Third Intermediate Period
DIMENSIONS
7 1/2 x 2 7/8 x 5/8 in. (19.1 x 7.3 x 1.6 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
08.480.4
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CAPTION
Figure of Bes with Child, ca. 1075-656 B.C.E. Faience, 7 1/2 x 2 7/8 x 5/8 in. (19.1 x 7.3 x 1.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 08.480.4. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.08.480.4_emagic.jpg)
IMAGE
installation, Egyptian Magic Installation (2008),
CUR.08.480.4_emagic.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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