Description: Flat-backed amulet of a frontally facing Bes head in bichrome faience with main body in bright blue and the eyebrows and centre of the headress in black glaze. A transverse piercing runs through the base of the plumed headdress. The figure has a prominent beard/mane on the lower portion of the face.
Collector's Marks: 400 written in ink on the reverse.
Cultural Significence: Bes as a protective deity was popular from at least the Middle Kingdom, although Bes head amulets do not appear prior to the Third Intermediate Period but once established remained common through the Roman Period. Bes amulets were common elements of jewellery and were worn in life as well as placed in tombs. Excavated examples of this type of Bes Head amulet date to the Late Period.
Comparanda: Boston MFA 72.2102, 57.468; Louvre E19331; National Museums Liverpool 9,9,86,72; British Museum AN1896-1908-EA.555, AN1896-1908-EA.862. Similar to ECM 116 but with flat bottom and narrow face.

Notes:  See W. Petrie, Amulets, 1914, 190b-e; C. Andrews, Amulets of Ancient Egypt. 1994, p.40, plate 15.

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