Egypt, Late Dynastic Period, ca. 664 to 525 BCE. A fine Egyptian cast leaded bronze Apis bull standing with one leg stretched slightly forward presenting a naturalistic visage comprised of a broad snout with flared nostrils and a straight mouth, all flanked by a pair of petal-shaped ears and supported by a thick neck. A slender tail falls from the end of the ancient animal's lengthy body. Apis bulls were immensely important in Ancient Egypt and when one died, Egyptians would leave small votives, such as this, at the burial site. A rare and intriguing find! Size: 3.125" L x 0.75" W x 1.25" H (7.9 cm x 1.9 cm x 3.2 cm); 2.5" H (6.4 cm) on included custom stand.
Apis was originally worshipped by Narmer, the ruler who unified Upper and Lower Egypt around 3000 BCE - the sacred bull is shown trampling the pharaoh's enemies on the Narmer palette that commemorates the unification. Three thousand years later, by the time of Roman control of Egypt, the worship continued. Though centered around the city of Memphis, the cult of Apis was so extensive in Egypt that the Greeks and Romans wrote about it repeatedly. The famous French archaeologist Mariette, excavating at the Serapeum of Saqqara, found the mummified remains of more than sixty bulls, some buried in their own separate tombs.
Provenance: private Salisbury, Maryland, USA collection; ex-Paul Henri Lapoint Estate, Anno Moritis, 1980; ex-private Paris collection, acquired from 1940s to 1960s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#163758
Condition
Missing legs, horns, and headdress. Professional restoration to areas of legs and minor area of back. Expected abrasion and nicks, commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice with lovely green and russet patina.