Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A handsome brass statue of a humped bull depicted in the midst of motion, striding forward in a strikingly naturalistic pose. The body of the bull is proud with rippling musculature, a humped neck, powerful haunches, and an emphasized, ridged dewlap. His massive horns project outward symmetrically from just above horizontal ears. He turns his head slightly to his left as if taking note of the viewer, displaying veristic details with large eyes and a thick snout. The animal's lengthy tail swishes at his posterior. Size: 3.4" L x 1.3" W x 3.1" H (8.6 cm x 3.3 cm x 7.9 cm); 4.5" H (11.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Although the shape of the body is similar to those of zebu bulls, which were bred in India and may have been familiar to a well-traveled or educated Roman, it may also reflect the desire of the sculptor to portray the most masculine, virile bull possible. Some archaeological evidence also suggests that Romans imported the zebu bull - only the bulls - to be sacrificial animals, again because of their masculine appearance. This is certainly a portrait of a powerful animal, with a gorgeous turquoise patina!

Often seen as a fertility symbol, the bull was a sacred icon in ancient Rome, and during the 2nd to 4th centuries, Romans celebrated the taurobolium, when a bull was sacrificed as an offering to ensure the wellbeing of the people and the Roman state. The bull was also involved in the religious cult of the Mithraic mysteries, which was centered on the god Mithras and spread throughout the Roman Empire (there was even a temple to Mithras whose ruins are still visible today in the City of London). The scorpion would further tie into this myth, as it was believed that Mithras slayed a sacred bull with the help of a scorpion, along with other animals.

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 09.221.20e and 09.221.20f.

Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Gallery, New York, New York, USA; ex-German private collection; Gorny & Mosch, Munich, Germany, December 2012

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#127491

A tiny loss (probably a casting flaw) to bottom of one back hoof. Otherwise generally excellent with deep green patina. Attached to modern marble stand.