Lot 217: ANTIQUITIES, A large and impressive Egyptian painted plaque with the god Bes

A large painted plaque with the god Bes, Late Period – Ptolemaic, c.4th – 3rd Century BC. He stands, wielding a sword in his raised right hand, the weapon crossing the feathers of the crown. In his lowered left hand he grips a snake round its neck, and the coils of its body curve around his arm. He appears to be wearing a muscle cuirass with double lower border or low-slung belt, with his tail shown hanging between his legs, penis missing. Most of the feathers of his crown are broken away along with the tip of his sword. The back is unworked and the plaque is solid and was pressed into a one-piece mould. Orange micaceous Nile silt with some remaining red and white pigmentation throughout. Repaired at midsection, otherwise a choice piece with nice detail. H: 12 1/8” (35 cm). Mounted on base. Cf. Petrie Museum UC47974 from Memphis; Bailey, Terracottas in the British Museum, Vol. IV, no. 3101. Ex. old English collection. Value Range $1350 - $1500.

• Offered By: VAuctions
• Lot #: 217
• Listing #: 192101
• Closed: Thursday, August 2, 2012 7:24:00 PM CT
• Estimate: $1,350