Egyptian Wooden Relief of the God Bes

Late Period, Dynasty 26, c. 664–525 BC, Egypt

An exceptional and extremely rare carved wooden relief of the protective household deity Bes, shown in one of his most iconic and expressive forms. The figure appears nude and frontal, with a grotesque leonine face, prominent feline nose, large flaring ears, curling beard, and a tall feathered headdress. His stocky body exhibits the characteristic traits of achondroplastic dwarfism—short, powerful limbs, bowed legs, and a lion’s tail—all rendered with striking anatomical detail.

Bes was a fiercely protective god, known to ward off evil through music, raucous dancing, and sheer presence. He emerged prominently in the Middle Kingdom but came into his full visual form during the New Kingdom, where he became a beloved and ubiquitous guardian of the household. He was particularly associated with childbirth and domestic harmony, often appearing on amulets, furniture, mirrors, and cosmetic items to safeguard women and children.

This deeply carved wooden image may have originally adorned the backrest of a ceremonial chair or domestic furnishing, reminiscent of a near-identical depiction of Bes on the New Kingdom chair of Hatnefer in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Few such wooden depictions have survived the centuries, making this a truly rare and evocative example of Late Period domestic ritual art.

Excellent condition. Intact. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, nicks and chips, with encrusted patina and earthen deposits throughout. Size approx. 16,4cm x 6,2cm x 1,8cm.

Provenance: Finnish private collection.

For a similar examples see:

Furniture element, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Accession Number: E.GA.123.1949 (https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/61848)

Hatnefer's Chair, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number: 36.3.152 (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/543868)

References and further reading: 

Bes - Demon God Protector of Egypt, Tine Bagh and Lise Manniche (eds.), Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek 2021.