Origin: Egypt
Circa: 1600 BC to 600 BC
Dimensions: 1.625" (4.1cm) high x .5" (1.3cm) wide
Collection: Egyptian
Style: New Kingdom
Medium: Faience
In Ancient Egypt, dwarves were considered to be special people sacred to the gods, Bes, Ptah and some of Ptah's syncretistic forms, such as Ptah-Sokar. The god Bes, in fact is almost exclusively depicted as a bow-legged dwarf with leonine facial features. Ptah, the creator god of Memphis, although more commonly depicted as a mummiform man wearing a skullcap, is sometimes depicted as a dwarf. His syncretistic form, Ptah-Sokar, is frequently depicted as a dwarf with either a human or falcon's head. Dwarves were also known to have held positions of honor in the court of the pharaoh. In fact, one of the most famous sculptural groups from the old kingdom depicts the dwarf Seneb, who was an official of the court, and his wife and children. This charming faience sculpture depicts a naked dwarf wearing a skullcap (which indicates that this may be a depiction of the god Ptah). The head of this figure is disproportionately large and exaggerated in a way that reminds the viewer of the exaggerated proportions of Amarna period painting and sculpture. The slightly protruding and rounded abdomen of this figure is a commonly employed artistic convention in the representation of dwarves. The sculpture was probably intended to invoke the protection of the god Ptah as well as charm the viewer with its unique appeal. - (PF.3004)

Antiquities
Ancient Egyptian