Antiquities Circle Lecture:
A Magic Potion for a Bes Mug

The Tampa Museum of Art acquired an ancient ceramic mug in the shape of the head of the charmingly hideous Egyptian guardian demon known as Bes in 1984. The function of such mugs has thus far remained unknown. Even the kind of beverage that could have been drank from these mugs has remained unknown. Still, experts have speculated that they were used in religious ceremonies or magical ritual of various natures. This talk will present the results of extensive state of the art scientific examinations of samples taken from the residue of the Tampa mug. These mind-blowing results throw new light on the possible use of these Bes mugs and on the role of this leonine dwarfish figure in the lives of Egyptians during the Greco-Roman period. Please note that due to scheduling conflicts, Dr. Branko van Oppen will be the only speaker for this lecture.

Lectures are offered:

• Art+ Museum Members: Free
• Not-Yet-Members: $25
• College Students: Free

RSVP REQUIRED

Branko van Oppen is the Richard E. Perry Curator of Greek & Roman Art at the Tampa Museum of Art. He received his Ph.D. in ancient history from The City University of New York, where he specialized in queenship during the Hellenistic period, from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra. Before coming to Tampa, van Oppen worked for five years at the Allard Pierson Museum, Amsterdam. His academic interests further include clay seal impressions, animals in ancient material culture, Romano-Egyptian painted funerary portraits, as well as ancient religion and art history in general.

Image: Ceramic Mug in the Shape the Head of Bes (Egypt, Greco-Roman period, ca. 3rd cent. BCE-3rd cent. CE)
Tampa Museum of Art, Gift of David S. Hendrick, III, 1984.031; photograph by Philip LaDeau.