Figure of Pataikos
Life Story
The god is shown in the standard form of an achondroplastic (bow-legged) dwarf. He is naked except for a necklace and stands upon two animals, possibly foxes. He holds knives close on either side of his belly and is biting upon a snake which falls from each corner of his mouth. The figurine most probably had an apotropaic function, to ward off harm posed by dangerous creatures. At the nape of the neck is a striated and perforated suspension lug. The underside of the base is incised with enigmatic signs (including the right eye of Horus) into which the pale blue glaze has flowed to form a darker colour.
Entry taken from Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection 3 volume catalogue, edited by Steven Hooper (Yale University Press, 1997).
Provenance
Purchased by the Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia from Peter Sharrer in 1974 out of funds provided by Robert and Lisa Sainsbury.
On display
Title/Description: Figure of Pataikos
Born: 0050 c. BC - 0100 c.
Object Type: Ornament
Materials: Faience
Measurements: h. 25 mm
Inscription: enigmatic signs including the right eye of Horus
Accession Number: 546
Historic Period: 1st century BC, 1st century AD, Ptolemaic (late)
Production Place: Africa, Egypt
Credit Line: Purchased with support from Robert and Lisa Sainsbury, 1974
