Polymorphic deity

Unknown

664–30 B.C. · Faience · Egyptian Art

Hybrid deities combine a given deity's form with often animal elements from other deities. Here the dwarf-like body of Pataikos is combined with what appears to be a baboon's head, judging from the tufts of hair on the cheeks. The back is a falcon back. The headdress has a foliate and curving appearance not typical of Egyptian crowns and is difficult to understand. The proliferation of representations of hybrid deities, or polymorphic deities, is a phenomenon of the first millennium. The meaning of the conjoined forms is not settled, but they are considered positive figures.

Artist

Unknown

Date

664–30 B.C.

Medium

Faience

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Gift of Lily S. Place, 1921