PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 332-30 B.C.

Details

AN EGYPTIAN FAIENCE PATAIKOS
PTOLEMAIC PERIOD, 332-30 B.C.
Blue-green in color, the bandy-legged bald dwarf god depicted nude, his fisted hands at his hips, with a pudgy stomach and large head, a suspension loop at the back
2 9/16 in. (6.5 cm.) high

Provenance

with Elias S. David (1891-1969), New York; thence by descent.

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve.

Lot Essay

The Greek historian Herodotus was the first to mention "pataikoi" as Phoenician dwarf-form amulets. It is believed that Egyptian pataikoi may have some connection with Ptah, the god of craftsmen, because dwarves were commonly depicted in ancient Egyptian workshops (see p. 39, in C. Andrews, Amulets of Ancient Egypt).

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