--- title: Ptolemaic Statue of a Dancing Dwarf author: Metropolitan Museum of Art source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8205/ptolemaic-statue-of-a-dancing-dwarf/ format: machine-readable-alternate updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Ptolemaic Statue of a Dancing Dwarf _Authored by Metropolitan Museum of Art_ ## Image File [![Ptolemaic Statue of a Dancing Dwarf](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/8205.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/8205.jpg) ## Image Caption This marble statue of a dwarf was sculpted around 332-150 BCE and is believed to have originated in [Alexandria](https://www.worldhistory.org/alexandria/), [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/). The dancing figure may have held cultic associations as dwarves were linked to [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) religious practice and were often associated with cultic rites. They also held religious significance in [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) tradition, and the [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Bes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bes/) was portrayed as a dwarf. However, [Hellenistic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenic_World/) art often focuses on body types and figures that were seen as peculiar and the figure may well portray a performer unrelated to any specific cultic practice. (Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York) ## Cite This Work ### APA Art, M. M. o. (2018, February 27). Ptolemaic Statue of a Dancing Dwarf. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Art, Metropolitan Museum of. "Ptolemaic Statue of a Dancing Dwarf." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 27, 2018. . ### MLA Art, Metropolitan Museum of. "Ptolemaic Statue of a Dancing Dwarf." *World History Encyclopedia*, 27 Feb 2018, . ## License & Copyright © [Metropolitan Museum of Art](http://metmuseum.org/), NY. As part of the [Met's Open Access policy](https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/policies-and-documents/open-access), the Metropolitan Museum of Art has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this dataset. [Original image](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/26.7.1403/) by [**Metropolitan Museum of Art**](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/26.7.1403/). Submitted by [Arienne King](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/ava.spartan.117/ "User Page: Arienne King"), published on 27 February 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.