An Egyptian Red Jasper Amulet of Pataikos, 18th Dynasty ca. 1550-1295 BCE

carved from red jasper, considered by the Egyptians to be the par excellence of red stones, the protector god is shown standing nude, hands on hips and wearing a cap headdress and drilled for suspension at the neck. The bandy-legged dwarf Pataikos was a phylactic (protective) deity, worshipped in ancient Egypt from the time of the Old Kingdom (ca. 2686-2160 BCE). Amulets of the god are well-attested from the time of the New Kingdom (ca. 1550-1069 BCE). Phylactic amulets depicting protective deities like Pataikos, Horus-the-Child, and Bes were worn to ward off evils that could cause illness, injury, or misfortune.  It has been suggested Pataikos is a manifestation or son of Ptah, the god of craftsmen. Writings by the Greek historian Herodotus state that Ptah was depicted in the form of a dwarf, and the name “Pataikos” that he coined literally means “little Ptah.” Dwarves often worked in workshops as craftsmen, as attested in tomb scenes from Egypt. Bibliography:  Andrews, Carol, 1994.