Bell in the form of Bes
Unknown Artist
332–30 B.C.
Medium
cupreous metal
Dimensions
H. 6.3 cm (2 1/2 in.); Dia. 4.6 cm (1 13/16 in.)
Classification
Music, bell, Bes
Period
Ptolemaic Period
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Nathaniel Spear Jr., 1985
Accession Number
1985.73
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming bell in the form of Bes dates to Egypt’s Ptolemaic Period (332–30 B.C.), when the land was ruled by descendants of Alexander the Great yet traditional Egyptian beliefs remained vibrant. Crafted from cupreous metal, the small object—barely taller than a modern keychain—captures the popular household god Bes, a dwarf deity with a lion-like face who protected families, especially mothers and children, from harm. Such bells likely served both practical and protective roles, their cheerful sound thought to frighten away evil spirits. Bes imagery flourished during this era as Egyptian...