The God Bes Holding a Vessel

The light blue amulet represents the god Bes standing behind a vessel. Black dots decorate the figurine on the wig, face, wrists, shoulders, and on the rim of vessels. These dots and the deity’s animal tail refer to the skin of a wildcat covering his shoulders. The lion or leopard skin, which is typically in the deity’s iconography from the Late Period onwards, is the symbol of rebirth and regeneration, and at the same time indicates the connection between Bes and the sun god Ra. The figurine’s tail, beard, and moustache, and the parts of the vessel were painted black. His headdress is now broken. The small hole on the top of the tall, longish vessel was created posteriorly, after the firing. Bes was one of the most important apotropaic gods in ancient Egypt; he protected the households and the families, particularly women and children.