Keywords: Egyptian - Figurine of a Female Dwarf - Walters 71532 - Right.jpg Dwarfs played an important role in Egyptian society from Predynastic times Dwarfism-a genetic condition characterized by unusually short stature and shortened limbs-is frequently represented in Egyptian tomb reliefs and statues They were believed because of their unusual appearance to have supernatural powers and a special relation to the gods Figurines of dwarfs were used as amulets and have been found in tombs as well as in ritual places This figurine represents a female dwarf She has a large forehead perforations at the eyes to allow for inlay and incised curved ridges to denote the brow The upper arms are fat the chest narrow the hips wide and the legs short and twisted The wide pubic triangle is marked by a pattern of drilled holes It is likely that this figure was used to secure fertility ca 3500 BC Predynastic Egypt Naqada II hippopotamus ivory cm 3 28 1 78 0 42 accession number 71 532 18110 MacGregor Collection date and mode of acquisition unknown lot 712 Dikran Kelekian New York and Paris 1923 mode of acquisition unknown Henry Walters city Baltimore Walters Art Museum Henry Walters Acquired by Henry Walters 1923 Daily Magic in Ancient Egypt The Walters Art Museum Baltimore 2006-2007 place of origin Egypt Walters Art Museum license Egyptian predynastic art in the Walters Art Museum Naqada II Dwarfs in Ancient Egypt |