A Polymorphic Bes Statuette

This bronze statuette shows a composite deity who has the attributes of various different gods:

  • the face of the god Bes,
  • the twin plumes and the ram horns of Amun’s crown,
  • the head of an ibis crowned by the crescent and full moon of Thoth,
  • and the wings and falcon tail are related to the god Horus.

Surrounding the statuette are snakes and crocodiles. There are many more aspects which refer to a multitude of divine aspects. By incorporating these elements into a single figure, the statuette protected the owner from many evils.

Dating: ca. 250-100 BC, Egypt
Dimensions: ca. 25.2 × 13 × 9.9 cm

Walters Art Musem 54.540 Bes-Pantheos
Pantheistic Bes, ca. 250-100 BCE, Egypt. Walteres Art Museum, 54.540. Creative Commons License

A great academic paper about “The so-called Pantheos. On polymorphic deities in late-egyptian religion” by Joachim F. Quack is available online for free at the website of the University of Heidelberg: https://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/propylaeumdok/595/