Scarab with Bes and prisoners
New Kingdom
Not on view
The Bes-image is popular on scarabs of the Ramesside Period (Dynasty 19-20, ca. 1295-1070 B.C.). He is often portrayed standing and in frontal view with his hands resting on his thighs, a tail hanging between his legs, and a headdress consisting of large plumes. Bes is particularly called upon for his protective capacities. On either side are foreign prisoners, their arms bound behind their backs. They symbolize the (successful) control over threats.
Above, the goddess Nekhbet is portrayed in her avian form, as a vulture, and she spreads out her wings while she holds shen-signs or ‘rings of eternity’. A winged sun disk is placed above the scene
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