Relief of Bes and Harsomtous
This relief shows the god Bes dancing before the child deity Harsomtous. The style of the carving suggests that it comes from the "mammisi" (Birth House) at Dendera. This was a major temple site in the Roman period, most likely because the deity worshipped here, Hathor, was identified with the popular goddess Isis.
Note the crown of the great god Amun at the left edge of the relief. This would have been part of a scene adjacent to this one.
Note the crown of the great god Amun at the left edge of the relief. This would have been part of a scene adjacent to this one.
Artwork Details
- Title: Relief of Bes and Harsomtous
- Period: Roman Period
- Reign: reign of Trajan
- Date: A.D. 98–117
- Geography: From Egypt; Possibly from Northern Upper Egypt, Dendera
- Medium: Sandstone
- Dimensions: H. 29.8 × W. 60.3 × D. 5.1 cm (11 3/4 × 23 3/4 × 2 in.)
- Credit Line: Gift of Howard A. Newman, 1971
- Object Number: 1971.226
- Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art
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41–68 CE
2nd century A.D.
A.D. 1st century
1st–2nd century?
1–300
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