Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Protective Figure of Aha-Bes
(Ancient Egypt and Nubia )
Resembling the protective deity Bes, this benevolent demon holds a snake in each hand, symbolizing his ability to ward off the bites and stings of venomous creatures. The figure has the proportions of a dwarf, the head, mane and tail of a lion, and human eyes. Similar figures to this one were depicted on magical wands of the Middle Kingdom. The details of the figure, such as the eyes, mane, nipples, and the snakes are marked with dark blue lines and dots.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Rev. William MacGregor, Tamworth, Staffordshire, by 1900; Sale, Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, London, June 26-29 and July 4-6, 1922, no. 265; Dikran Kelekian, Paris and New York, 1922, by purchase; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1922, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 8/24/1998 | Examination | survey |
Geographies
Egypt, Western Thebes (Dra abu'l Naga) (Place of Origin)
Measurements
6 3/4 x 3 x 1 15/16 in. (17.2 x 7.6 x 4.9 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1922
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
48.420