Protective God
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
The Egyptians had a special class of deities, including Bes, Aha, and Hayet, that protected mothers and very young children. This piece shows one of these deities nursing an infant god. In antiquity metal rings were inserted into the holes at the top of the headdress and through the pierced ears. When shaken like a rattle, the piece produced a rustling sound intended to soothe a crying baby.
Caption
Protective God, ca. 945–718 B.C.E.. Faience, 5 15/16 x 2 1/2 x 15/16 in. (15.1 x 6.4 x 2.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 58.171. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Title
Protective God
Date
ca. 945–718 B.C.E.
Dynasty
Dynasty 22
Period
Third Intermediate Period
Geography
Place made: Egypt
Medium
Faience
Classification
Dimensions
5 15/16 x 2 1/2 x 15/16 in. (15.1 x 6.4 x 2.4 cm)
Credit Line
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Accession Number
58.171
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