Ancient Sculpture and Works of Art
Ancient Sculpture and Works of Art
Property from a Swiss Private Collection
Lot Closed
December 17, 02:09 PM GMT
Estimate
800 - 1,200 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Property from a Swiss Private Collection
An Egyptian Faience Amulet of Pataek
Ptolemaic Period, 304-30 B.C.
the dwarf god standing atop two crocodiles, a serpent in each hand, and flanked by two protective goddesses, a scarab atop the crown of his head.
Height 3.4 cm.
The bandy-legged dwarf god Pataek or Pataikos was an Egyptian protective deity often created in amulet form for his prophylactic powers. He is commonly depicted conquering harmful forces of natures, such as in the present example, where he is seen strangling a serpent in each hand.
The Greek historian Herodotus suggested that Pataek is either an iteration or the son of Ptah, the god of craftsmen. Indeed, dwarves were often depicted working in the workshops of Egyptian artisans, as attested to in tomb scenes.