Large Romano Egyptian Redware Apis Bull, ex-Museum
Similar Sale History
View More Items in Sculptures & CarvingsRelated Sculptures & Carvings
More Items in Sculptures & Carvings
View MoreRecommended Art
View MoreItem Details
Description
Egypt, Romano-Egyptian Period, ca. 30 BCE to 2nd century CE. A votive, mold-made redware sculpture of Apis, the sacred bull. He stands in profile, with his head turned to face the viewer, a heavy dewlap at his neck; the legs are in relief against a background and he stands on a platform, both incorporated into the design to allow the statue to stand on its own. On his back is a bowl; on his head are the remains of a headdress, probably a lunar crescent, which in Roman times replaced the sun disk that Apis had worn for centuries. Size: 2.5" L x 6.45" W x 6.95" H (6.4 cm x 16.4 cm x 17.7 cm)
This sculpture is made to be viewed only from the front, and a powdery, bright red pigment has been applied mainly on that side of the sculpture. Worshippers could have purchased this statue and then put offerings into the bowl on his back. 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: Ex- California Museum of Ancient Art, Ex Malter Gallery 1995
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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#120948
This sculpture is made to be viewed only from the front, and a powdery, bright red pigment has been applied mainly on that side of the sculpture. Worshippers could have purchased this statue and then put offerings into the bowl on his back. 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: Ex- California Museum of Ancient Art, Ex Malter Gallery 1995
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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#120948
Condition
One ear, horns, and part of the headdress are lost, as is part of the offering bowl on the back. Otherwise intact, with fine remaining detail and pigment.
Buyer's Premium
- 24.5%
Large Romano Egyptian Redware Apis Bull, ex-Museum
Estimate $2,000 - $3,000
3 bidders are watching this item.
Get approved to bid.
Shipping & Pickup Options
Item located in Louisville, CO, usSee Policy for Shipping
Payment
TOP