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Source Description
This dwarf-like, protective deity was very popular in ancient Egypt; amulets in the shape of this god were particularly popular from the Third Intermediate period. The Greek name Pataikos comes from a passage in the writings of Herodotus (ca. 5th century BCE), who used this term to describe a Phoenician protective dwarf-like image. The Egyptian Pataikos is a special manifestation of the creator god Ptah and the dwarf-like appearance symbolizes his magical power.This Pataikos is standing on crocodiles and has knives in his hands. A large collar adorns his neck and upper chest. The crown is quite unusual for Pataikos; it is an atef crown (combination of the Upper Egyptian crown with flanking plumes) flanked by sun-disk-crowned snakes. A scarab, usually on top of the head of Pataikos, is instead placed in front of the lower center of the crown. Wings are attached behind the shoulders of the god. The back pillar is pierced to function as a loop for a pendant. This was probably made during the Ptolemaic Period.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
19584
label
Standing Pataikos
core
obj
dtoType
object
citationUrl
pageCount
4
Source metadata
id
19584
sourceUrl
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
Standing Pataikos
description
This dwarf-like, protective deity was very popular in ancient Egypt; amulets in the shape of this god were particularly popular from the Third Intermediate period. The Greek name Pataikos comes from a passage in the writings of Herodotus (ca. 5th century BCE), who used this term to describe a Phoenician protective dwarf-like image. The Egyptian Pataikos is a special manifestation of the creator god Ptah and the dwarf-like appearance symbolizes his magical power.This Pataikos is standing on crocodiles and has knives in his hands. A large collar adorns his neck and upper chest. The crown is quite unusual for Pataikos; it is an atef crown (combination of the Upper Egyptian crown with flanking plumes) flanked by sun-disk-crowned snakes. A scarab, usually on top of the head of Pataikos, is instead placed in front of the lower center of the crown. Wings are attached behind the shoulders of the god. The back pillar is pierced to function as a loop for a pendant. This was probably made during the Ptolemaic Period.
provenance
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
date
3rd-2nd century BCE (Ptolemaic)
citationUrl
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
Ceramics
pendants
amulets
figurines
imageCount
4
pageCount
4
source
import
dimensions
units
cm
width
6.1
height
2.3
depth
1.5
dimensionsRaw
H: 2 3/8 x W: 7/8 x D: 9/16 in. (6.1 x 2.3 x 1.5 cm)
Source extras
cul
Egyptian
dynasty
Ptolemaic Dynasty
med
Egyptian faience with blue-green glaze
creator_ids
6182
collection_ids
EGY
exhibition_ids
2172
Page inventory
seq
1
type
photo
mediaId
1a82d8df9f4e23cb
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
2
type
photo
mediaId
37e7cb21efa61030
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
3
type
photo
mediaId
4c59d1a459802663
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
4
type
photo
mediaId
60a752c7c3ae2b04
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no