Egyptian Faience Amulet of Bes with a Tambourine

New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, Reign of Akhenaten, c. 1353–1336 BC, Thebes, Egypt

This fascinating fragmentary turquoise-blue faience amulet depicts the Egyptian god Bes in profile, rendered in his traditional form as a bandy-legged, deformed dwarf with a grotesque yet expressive human face. Bes is characterized by his wide, piercing eyes, round lion-like ears, and a mane-like depiction of hair. In this amulet, he is shown in an active pose, playing a tambourine—a percussion instrument associated with his role in warding off evil. His left hand grips the tambourine while his right hand strikes a rhythm, embodying the dynamic energy for which Bes is renowned. The reverse of the amulet is flat and unworked, and there is a chip at the top of Bes’s head, likely the remnant of a missing suspension loop.

Bes was one of the most distinctive and universally recognized protector deities in ancient Egypt. His unusual appearance, with exaggerated and intimidating features, was believed to repel evil spirits and enemies. Despite his fearsome visage, Bes was seen as a benevolent figure, revered as a guardian of childbirth and protector of households. Amulets depicting him were especially popular among pregnant women, who believed he could shield their unborn children from harm. His protective qualities extended to safeguarding homes from intruders, both human and animal. Beyond his role as a fierce protector, Bes was also associated with joy, laughter, music, and dance. This duality made him a beloved and approachable deity, reflected in the dynamic and celebratory imagery of him playing musical instruments, as seen in this amulet. The tambourine, in particular, highlights his connection to music as a means of dispelling negativity and creating harmony.

This amulet, despite its fragmentary state, captures the essence of Bes’s multifaceted nature. It serves as a tangible reminder of his enduring popularity and the vibrant spiritual life of ancient Egyptian households.

Moderate condition. Chip. Age-related wear with fissure and encrustation. Size approx. 1,3cm x 0,9cm x 0,3cm.

Provenance: private collection from England

For a similar examples see: 

Amulet of Bes with a Tambourine, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number: 11.215.195 (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/560828)

Bes with Tambourine Pendant, Emory University, Michael C. Carlos Museum, Accession Number: 2008.024.011 (https://collections.carlos.emory.edu/objects/24739/bes-with-tambourine-pendant)

References and further reading:

Amulets of Ancient Egypt, Carol Andrews, University of Texas Press, 1994. pp. 82-83.

Talismans & amulets, Felicitas H. Nelson, New York: Sterling, 2008, p. 25. 

Ancient Egyptian Amulets, Isabel Stünkel, In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, February 2019. (http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/egam/hd_egam.htm)

Handbook of Egyptian mythology, Geraldine Pinch, Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO, 2002, p. 127.

Egypt in the New Kingdom (ca. 1550–1070 B.C.), Catharine H. Roehrig, In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, October 2000. (http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/nking/hd_nking.htm)