Romano-Egyptian Limestone Statue of God Bes - 1st to 2nd Century CE | Christie's Auction

Acquire a piece of ancient mystique with this Romano-Egyptian limestone statue of the deity Bes, dating from the 1st to the 2nd Century CE. Celebrated for his protective powers over women, children, and the household, this figure from Dr. W. Benson Harer's collection was once safeguarded by the renowned Egyptologist Gustave Jequier.

This Romano-Egyptian limestone statue represents Bes, the dwarf deity revered in ancient Egypt from the 1st to the 2nd Century CE. Standing 114mm in height, 56mm wide, and 30mm thick, the figure depicts the bandy-legged god in his traditional guardian stance—hands atop his knees, nude except for the leopard-skin pelt around his neck, indicative of his role as a protector.

The statuette's facial features, with a low brow and puffy cheeks, coupled with the remains of a plumed crown and a short-cropped beard resembling a lion’s mane, encapsulate the joyous and fierce spirit of Bes. His distinctive appearance was not merely for adornment but was integral to his role in promoting joy, warding off evil, and ensuring fertility within the home.

The statue’s limestone material, commonly used in the region due to its abundance and workability, has withstood the test of time, showing only minor chips and softening of finer details. Light earthen deposits accentuate its authenticity and antiquity.

Previously housed within the collection of Dr. W. Benson Harer from Los Angeles, this artifact boasts a distinguished provenance. It was part of a lot sold at Christie's Auction in New York during the “Antiquities” auction on June 4, 2008. Its history traces back to the collection of Egyptologist Gustave Jequier, making it a piece with exceptional scholarly and collectible significance.