Egyptian Glazed Faience Janiform Bes Head Fragment

Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th to 31st Dynasty, ca. 664 to 332 BCE. A mold-formed faience Janiform head depicting the expressive face of Bes, the dwarf god meant as a protector of women and children within a household. Each side of the head features a finely detailed countenance of recessed, almond-shaped eyes, a bulbous triangular nose, incised horizontal whiskers, and a gaping mouth above a broad chin. Incisions across the foreheads of each visage add to the characteristic presentation of Bes, and areas of light blue glaze covers most surfaces. A Janiform head like this example was once part of a larger, two-sided figure. Size: 0.9" W x 0.9" H (2.3 cm x 2.3 cm)

Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities, New York, New York, USA, acquired in the late 1990s; ex-Mark Goodstein collection, New York, USA

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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#157839
Condition Report: A fragment of a larger composition. Small loss to chin and mouth of one face as shown. Fading to glaze pigment with light encrustations. Nice preservation of facial details on both sides.