Egyptian Wooden Relief of the God Bes easterneurope When Portuguese ships first reached

When Portuguese ships first reached the West African coast in the 15th century

ritual jewelry

Cameroon or Northern Gabon

and straight

beautifully crafted from split reed—most likely Carrizo (Phragmites australis)—and featuring 30 finely barbed spikes fastened between two horizontal shafts

Egyptian Wooden Relief of the God Bes easterneurope When Portuguese ships first reachedLate Period, Dynasty 26, c. 664525 BC, Egypt An exceptional and extremely rare carved wooden relief of the protective household deity Bes, shown in one of his most iconic and expressive forms. The figure appears nude and frontal, with a grotesque leonine face, prominent feline nose, large flaring ears, curling beard, and a tall feathered headdress. His stocky body exhibits the characteristic traits of achondroplastic dwarfismshort, powerful limbs,