For the Ancient Egyptians, amulets were not only decorative but also considered to bestow power and protection upon the wearer. Many amulets have been found inside the wrapping of mummies to ensure a safe journey into the afterlife, but amulets were also used by the living for protection or in order to have their wishes granted. Amulets, depending on their type or form, had different meanings and properties. The cowroid amulet imitated the shape of a cowrie shell, beginning to appear in the 2nd millennium BC. The cowrie shell itself was often worn as an amulet or as adornment, and due to their shape, were associated with fertility and protection from the evil eye. Cowrie shells and cowroids are typically found in female burials, but have also been known to accompany male graves as well.
Bes was an Egyptian deity, worshipped initially as the protector of households, mothers, children, and of childbirth, and later on becoming regarded as the defender of good. His ugly physique and appearance were used to repel any enemies and evil spirits. As a household protector, his image was kept in homes on household objects, such as furniture, toiletries, bottles, and game pieces, tasked to kill snakes, fight off evil spirits, watch over the children, and aid women in labour. Amulets with his image became very popular amongst pregnant women, he was believed to ward off any demons that may corrupt the unborn child. Although the deity was presented in a grotesque, intimidating way, Bes came to symbolise the good in life, such as music, dance, and pleasure.
