Gifts of Grandeur: Pendant of the Dwarf God Bes, c. 600 BC

Pendant of the Dwarf God Bes
Egypt, c. 600 BC
The Victoria & Albert Museum

I confess, I picked this jewel for today because I was tickled by the title of “The Dwarf God Bes.” Bes, it seems, was an Egyptian deity of music, war and childbirth. I’m not sure how all of those things go together, but there you have it. Oh, and, yes, he was also a dwarf. And, he was thought to be good luck. Charms of Bes were placed around the home to protect the house and pendants such as this one were worn to protect the wearer during war, childbirth, or…um…music. Again, they don’t really go together. But, who am I to argue with a dwarf god? 

This pendant is constructed of gold and adorned with glazed steatite. It was made in Egypt between 600BC-100BC.

History's Runway: An Egyptian Tunic, 670-870

Tunic
Egypt, 670-870
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The history of fashion is as long as the history of humankind. As long as there’s been nudity, we’ve sought attractive ways to cover ourselves. To this end, textiles have been made for centuries. For example, in the late Roman Empire and in Byzantine Egypt, textiles were made commercially by weavers for sale to households, and, often by commission. These lush fabrics were used to create tunics—garments which were similar for both men and women.

While initially a garment constructed of one piece of fabric, by the Fifth Century, tunics were made in three pieces and adorned with a belt. One of the most popular patterns were stripes, both in Rome and Coptic Egypt.

This tunic of red wool, dating between 670 and 870, heralds from Egypt. It is adorned with white vertical strikes at the sides and, at the neck, features a woven tapestry of colored wools and linen thread.

Like later tunics, this one is made up of several pieces which have been seamed and cuffed. The sleeves are open under the arms. Though stained and slightly decayed, it’s an exceptional example of fashion of the Seventh to Eighth Century Egypt.

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: General Sir Garnet Wolseley at Alexandria, 1882-1901

Click on image for larger size
General Sir Garnet Wolseley at Alexandria
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Created in Egypt between 1882 and 1901, this drawing is the work of Orlando Norie (1832-1901). The work of pencil, pen, ink and watercolor has been accented with white gouache.

The illustration shows General Sir Garnet Wolseley who, aside from having a nifty name, landed in Alexandria on August 16, 1882. There, he took command of the British military campaign which was set against the revolutionary forces of Arabi Pasha. And, thus began the British occupation of Egypt. Depicted here are the General and his men at their arrival in Alexandria.

Drawing of the Day: General Sir Garnet Wolseley at Alexandria, 1882-1901

Click on image for larger size
General Sir Garnet Wolseley at Alexandria
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Created in Egypt between 1882 and 1901, this drawing is the work of Orlando Norie (1832-1901). The work of pencil, pen, ink and watercolor has been accented with white gouache.

The illustration shows General Sir Garnet Wolseley who, aside from having a nifty name, landed in Alexandria on August 16, 1882. There, he took command of the British military campaign which was set against the revolutionary forces of Arabi Pasha. And, thus began the British occupation of Egypt. Depicted here are the General and his men at their arrival in Alexandria.

History's Runway: An Egyptian Tunic, 670-870

Tunic
Egypt, 670-870
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The history of fashion is as long as the history of humankind. As long as there’s been nudity, we’ve sought attractive ways to cover ourselves. To this end, textiles have been made for centuries. For example, in the late Roman Empire and in Byzantine Egypt, textiles were made commercially by weavers for sale to households, and, often by commission. These lush fabrics were used to create tunics—garments which were similar for both men and women.

While initially a garment constructed of one piece of fabric, by the Fifth Century, tunics were made in three pieces and adorned with a belt. One of the most popular patterns were stripes, both in Rome and Coptic Egypt.

This tunic of red wool, dating between 670 and 870, heralds from Egypt. It is adorned with white vertical strikes at the sides and, at the neck, features a woven tapestry of colored wools and linen thread.

Like later tunics, this one is made up of several pieces which have been seamed and cuffed. The sleeves are open under the arms. Though stained and slightly decayed, it’s an exceptional example of fashion of the Seventh to Eighth Century Egypt.

Drawing of the Day: General Sir Garnet Wolseley at Alexandria, 1882-1901

Click on image for larger size
General Sir Garnet Wolseley at Alexandria
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Created in Egypt between 1882 and 1901, this drawing is the work of Orlando Norie (1832-1901). The work of pencil, pen, ink and watercolor has been accented with white gouache.

The illustration shows General Sir Garnet Wolseley who, aside from having a nifty name, landed in Alexandria on August 16, 1882. There, he took command of the British military campaign which was set against the revolutionary forces of Arabi Pasha. And, thus began the British occupation of Egypt. Depicted here are the General and his men at their arrival in Alexandria.

Mastery of Design: Pendant of the Dwarf God Bes, c. 600 BC

Pendant of the Dwarf God Bes
Egypt, c. 600 BC
The Victoria & Albert Museum

I confess, I picked this jewel for today because I was tickled by the title of “The Dwarf God Bes.” Bes, it seems, was an Egyptian deity of music, war and childbirth. I’m not sure how all of those things go together, but there you have it. Oh, and, yes, he was also a dwarf. And, he was thought to be good luck. Charms of Bes were placed around the home to protect the house and pendants such as this one were worn to protect the wearer during war, childbirth, or…um…music. Again, they don’t really go together. But, who am I to argue with a dwarf god? 

This pendant is constructed of gold and adorned with glazed steatite. It was made in Egypt between 600BC-100BC.