HUGE EGYPTIAN FAIENCE AMULET OF PTAH-PATAIKOS ON CROCODILES

Ptolemaic Period, Ca. 332 - 30 BC. A blue faience amulet depicting Ptah-Pataikos, a protective deity associated with Bes. He was believed to ward off evil spirits and snakes. Ptah-Pataikos is depicted with a scarab on his head, two cat figures on his shoulders, and a wide usekh collar. He holds sharp knives for protection and stands on two crocodiles. The amulet has inscriptions on the base and back pillar, with a hole for suspension. The item is accompanied by a translation and a report from Simone Musso, consultant curator for the Egyptian antiquities at the Stibbert Museum, Florence, Italy, member of the Nuri Archaeological Expedition. Size: 81.4mm x 34.4mm; Weight: 48.35g Provenance: UK private collection; formerly with Dres Archaeo, Brussels, acquired from a US collection, S.T. formed in the 1980s. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.