Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, 26th Dynasty, ca. 664 to 525 BCE. A wearable necklace strung with over 50 ancient faience beads with a pendant of Bes centered along the strand. The tubular and seed-shaped beads are glazed in hues of green and soft blue-green. The pendant is mold-formed from faience as well and depicts Bes, the dwarf god associated with protecting women and children. Bes is portrayed standing atop squat legs, holding both arms to his drooping belly, and peering forward with recessed eyes hidden beneath the folds of his brow. Resting atop his head is his signature feathered headdress. The beads are strung in modern times with a symmetrical arrangement and a silver-plated fishhook style clasp as a wearable ensemble. Size of strand: 18" L (45.7 cm); Bes pendant: 1.25" L x 0.5" W (3.2 cm x 1.3 cm)
Provenance: private Corpus Christi, Texas, USA estate collection, acquired 1960s to 1970s
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#165235
Condition
Loss to one tubular bead, and minor nicks and chips to the others. Bes is intact with light mineral deposits in recessed areas. All is strung in modern times and wearable with a modern clasp.