New Kingdom Amulet, Ancient Egypt (ca. 1550-1070 Bc).

Large Amulet, featuring the head of the god Bes, framed in a delicate relief. His expressive, joyful and benevolent face is highlighted by fine details painted in black-brown. His marked eyebrows and his crown of ostrich feathers, alternating yellow and brown, bring a striking depth to the composition. The choice of yellow, rare in Egyptian faience, gives this piece a particular brilliance, evoking gold and light. Its rectangular frame reinforces the impression of protective power that emanates from this divine effigy. The amulet is pierced with a transverse hole, allowing it to be worn as a pendant or attached to clothing, thus ensuring its owner the perpetual protection of the god. Yellow and brown faience, good general condition of conservation, see photos. New Kingdom, Ancient Egypt (approx. 1550-1070 BC). Dimensions: 2.8 X 2.5 X 0.4 cm Provenance: Former Paris collection, formed in the mid-20th century, after succession. Sold with certificate of authenticity from the expert Serge Reynes Guarantee of origin and period. * Shipping costs 15 euros for France, on estimate for other destinations. Bes, an atypical divinity of the Egyptian pantheon, was venerated for his apotropaic powers. Guardian of homes, children and pregnant women, he was invoked to repel harmful forces and ensure prosperity. Unlike other Egyptian gods, he is systematically represented from the front, emphasizing his constant vigilance and his role as immediate protector. His iconography, recognizable among all, was widely disseminated in the New Kingdom, a period when his amulets were worn daily to ward off invisible dangers. If blue and green earthenware dominates Egyptian productions, yellow earthenware remains a precious exception. Produced by the addition of antimony, it required special know-how and gave the objects a distinct value. Some shabtis and amulets of the New Kingdom feature this solar hue, which could be associated with high-ranking patrons, eager to surround themselves with materials evoking wealth and divine protection. Amulets of power, these effigies of Bes accompanied their wearer in all spheres of life. Suspended from the neck, attached to clothing, placed or in homes, they formed a bulwark against malevolent influences. Some, found in tombs, ensured the deceased lasting protection in the afterlife. This amulet, by the rarity of its color and the finesse of its execution, testifies to the importance given to the protective arts in ancient Egypt and brilliantly illustrates the skill of the artisans of the New Kingdom.