Relief fragment with Bes and Beset
ALLARD PIERSON MUSEUM
Inv.no. APM 7762
Dating: PTOLEMAIC PERIOD 305-30
Site: SAQQARA NECROPOLIS
Category: RELIEF
Materials: LIMESTONE
Technique: HIGH RELIEF

Height: 45.5 cm
Width: 33 cm
Depth: 4.1 cm

Relief fragment with Bes and Beset
In the centre, Bes is depicted in his usual appearance: naked, except for a panther-skin over his shoulders, with his feather headdress, beard and tail. A necklace with a pendant in the shape of a lion's or panther's head is visible between the paws of the panther-skin. In his right hand, he brandishes a sword; his left hand holds a snake. The two disks on either side of his head are probably shields. The smaller female figure on the left does not carry any visible attributes (perhaps she was banging a small tambourine), but this should be Beset. The two figures stand on a ledge. The piece is executed in rather high relief.