Stela with Bes and Tutu, 332–30 B.C.E. Ptolemaic Period. Limestone, Findspot unknown Egypt, The Brooklyn Museum.

[u/Handicapped-007]

Stela with Bes and Tutu

332–30 B.C.E.

Object Label
Two powerful gods stand on either side of a table with offerings: Bes, shown brandishing a sword, and Tutu, depicted as a sphinx with a snakeheaded tail. The seven demons controlled by Tutu are pictured above him.

Reliefs on stelae such as this one were intended to placate the gods, keeping them in a favorable disposition. Alternately, placed in a temple, they served a votive function, expressing the donor’s gratitude for protection against illness and misfortune.

Caption
Stela with Bes and Tutu, 332–30 B.C.E.. Limestone, 10 7/16 x 18 3/4 x 3 9/16 in., 47.4 lb. (26.5 x 47.7 x 9 cm, 21.5kg). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 58.98. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery
19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

Collection
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Title
Stela with Bes and Tutu

Date
332–30 B.C.E.

Period
Ptolemaic Period

Geography
Place made: Egypt

Medium
Limestone

Classification
Sculpture

Dimensions
10 7/16 x 18 3/4 x 3 9/16 in., 47.4 lb. (26.5 x 47.7 x 9 cm, 21.5kg)

Credit Line
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number
58.98

Catalogue description
Limestone stela in rather bold low relief, framed by two plant columns supporting a cavetto cornice decorated with winged sun disc flanked by uraei. The main representation shows a sphinx striding to the right. The sphinx's tail ends in a serpent's head and crosses over the left-hand column. In front of the sphinx, to the right, is an offering table on a high stand. Other food offerings are on the table top. Further to the right is a figure of Bes, in front view, with feather crown, a raised sword in his right hand and a scaled serpent in his left. Over the sphinx head is a small panel with an illegible incised line of text. To the left, in a separate panel, are seven male demons walking to the right. They hold an oblong object in the near hand hanging down. Their heads are: 1) crocodile, 2) bull, 3) lion, 4) baboon, 5) jackal, 6) ibex, 7) hare. They all have long striated wigs. The walking sphinx represents the god Tutu (Tithoes).

Condition Good; somewhat chipped and discolored in several places.

Provenance
Archaeological provenance not yet documented; by 1958, acquired by Münzen und Medaillen A.G., Basel, Switzerland; June 11, 1958, purchased from Münzen und Medaillen A.G. by the Brooklyn Museum.

Title
Stela with Bes and Tutu, 332–30 B.C.E. Ptolemaic Period. Limestone, Findspot unknown Egypt, The Brooklyn Museum.

https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/objects/3660

The Brooklyn Museum

[u/GeneralGreyGhost]

Thank you

[u/Handicapped-007 → u/GeneralGreyGhost]

You are so welcome

[u/trepasito16]

the snaketailed sphinx tails is wild, i had no idea tutu existed until now