An Egyptian Gold Amulet of Baubo, Roman Period, ca. 1st century CE

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In Greek myth, Baubo was a goddess of childbirth and fecundity, a ribald character symbolizing humor and light-heartedness in the face of trouble, as well as sympathetic female bon ds. When Demeter's daughter Persephone was abducted by Hades, the lord of the underworld, Demeter desperately searched for her. Exhausted and dispirited, Demeter rested at Eleusis, where she was entertained by Baubo with some lewd jokes and lascivious dancing. 'Thereupon', Freud writes, 'Baubo made (Demeter) laugh by suddenly lifting up her dress and exposing her body.' Baubo is a wild, unrestrained being who represents aspects of the feminine that are both confronting and profound. With this hollow amulet of high karat pure gold, she is depicted naked except for a headdress, with hands raised, palms outstretched to her face. Condition: Intact and in excellent condition overall Dimensions: Height: 9/16 inch (1.4 cm) Provenance: Private Swiss collection, acquired prior to 1972. Show more