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Ancient Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic Period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A wonderful Apis bull figure that is cast from leaded-bronze and presents with well-preserved engravings. The bull strides forward atop an integral plinth, each hoof bearing delineated claws, and the tail features a bushy, spiraling tip. Incised Along the back are elaborate symbols including a winged scarab atop the shoulders, a vulture with wings outstretched across the rump, a sheath saddle or blanket across the back, and an elaborate beaded collar around the neck. The bovine head is surmounted by a royal uraeus cobra in front of a sun disc, perhaps as an object of worship for a cult of Ra. Size: 3" L x 1.1" W x 3.2" H (7.6 cm x 2.8 cm x 8.1 cm); 3.8" H (9.7 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.

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 90.6.8

Provenance: Collection of Dr. W. Benson Harer, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired in 2001; ex-Fragments of Time, Quakertown, Pennsylvania, USA

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.

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#180906

Professional repair and restoration to half of sun disc, with nearly invisible resurfacing and overpainting. Possible restoration to areas of plinth, with repairs to multiple legs, and overpainting to emulate patination in those areas. Abrasions and only minor softening to engraved decorations, otherwise in great condition. Wonderful original patina throughout.