We came across this sculpture of the Egyptian god Bes at a sale in America about 20 years ago. He’s quite unusual. Bes was worshipped as the protector of the household and depictions of him are normally quite small. This one, however, was made by the Romans in the 1st century B.C.E. It’s sculpted in nenfro, a kind of lava, which means it’s surprisingly light and contrasts with his heavy, cartoonlike expression. We had acquired the sculpture for our gallery but my husband and I came to fall in love with it. I was secretly quite happy when it didn’t sell. Since then it has become part of the family. It’s the piece that we have owned for the longest and the first object we find a home for when we have moved house. At the moment, it’s in the dining room but in our last apartment it was in the hall. The This story is from Kinfolk Issue Forty-Five Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture Issue 49 My Favorite Thing Heidi Gustafson on holding the hand of a faraway friend. Arts & Culture Issue 47 My Favorite Thing Tattooist Dr. Woo on the necklace that money can’t buy. Arts & Culture Issue 46 My Favorite Thing Charles de Vilmorin on the possibilities of a sewing machine. Arts & Culture Issue 43 My Favorite Thing David Erritzoe shares the vial that sparked psychedelic thinking. Arts & Culture Issue 41 My Favorite Thing Architect Diébédo Francis Kéré explains the significance of his carved stool. Arts & Culture Issue 40 My Favorite Thing Designer Lucinda Chambers shares the story of her mother’s ring.
Arts & Culture Issue 46 My Favorite Thing Charles de Vilmorin on the possibilities of a sewing machine.
Arts & Culture Issue 43 My Favorite Thing David Erritzoe shares the vial that sparked psychedelic thinking.
Arts & Culture Issue 41 My Favorite Thing Architect Diébédo Francis Kéré explains the significance of his carved stool.
Arts & Culture Issue 40 My Favorite Thing Designer Lucinda Chambers shares the story of her mother’s ring.
