Egypt, Third Intermediate to Late Dynastic period, 21st to 31st Dynasty, ca. 1069 to 332 BCE. An intriguing depiction of the god Pataikos, the bow-legged dwarf deity meant as a protector and a mitigator of violent natural forces, mold-made from faience and covered in a lustrous blue-green glaze. He stands atop an integral plinth, holds attenuated arms to his portly abdomen, and has a petite suspension loop behind his neck. Prominent ears flank his enlarged head, which is crowned by a bulbous headdress. Size: 0.7" W x 1.3" H (1.8 cm x 3.3 cm); 2.1" H (5.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Pataikos was a god (or perhaps a member of a whole group of similarly looking gods) who gave protection. He is mostly known from amulets. Pataikos is generally depicted as a dwarf with short crooked legs and a bald head or, less frequently, the head of a falcon. In many cases he is shown standing on crocodiles (a symbol of his triumph over them) and having snakes and other dangerous animals in his hands. In many ways he resembles the god Harpokrates on magical stelae. An extra element which is sometimes added is a scarab on top of his head. Pataikos was also associated with Ptah and Ptah-Sokar. The name Pataikos goes back to Herodotus, the Greek writer who visited Egypt in the 5th century BC. He tells us that a statue of the god Ptah was kept in the temple of Memphis, which had the shape of a dwarf and which reminded him of a statuette in similar shape in Phoenicia. He also informs us that the god represented as a dwarf was regarded as the son of Ptah. Pataikos is also depicted together with Sekhmet or Nefertem, both gods who were related to Ptah in the triad of Memphis.

Provenance: Collection of Dr. W. Benson Harer, Los Angeles, California, USA; ex-Philip Mitry collection, noted antiquarian in Egypt, prior to 1951

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#180928

Piece is permanently affixed to custom stand inhibiting wearability. Expected surface wear as shown, but otherwise, intact and excellent. Old collection number inscribed on verso.