Roman-controlled Egypt, Late Ptolemaic to Romano-Egyptian Period, ca. 30 BCE to 2nd century CE. A gorgeous cast-bronze votive figure representing the sacred Egyptian bull god Apis. He wears a sun disk surrounded by large bull horns - a crown commonly associated with the deities Hathor and Isis - presented with a frontal uraeus. Apis stands in profile on four hooved legs atop an integral plinth, his muscular body gradually tapering to a downcast bovine head, with a sinuous tail and delineated genitalia between his back legs. Emerald- and forest-green patina envelops the figure, imbuing it with a fabulous archaeological appearance. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 2.5" L x 2.625" H (6.4 cm x 6.7 cm); 3.125" H (7.9 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 East Coast, USA collection

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.

#132421

Age-commensurate surface wear, small loss to portion of integral plinth, fading to some facial features, and light discoloration, otherwise excellent. Light earthen deposits as well as great green patina throughout.