26th Dynasty Bronze Statuette of an Apis Bull - FZ.282 - For Sale

26th Dynasty Bronze Statuette of an Apis Bull - FZ.282
Contact Dealer For Price
Origin: Memphis, Egypt
Circa: 664 BC to 525 BC
Dimensions: 1.875" (4.8cm) high x 2.75" (7.0cm) wide
Catalogue: V8
Collection: Egyptian Antiquities
Style: 26th Dynasty
Medium: Bronze
This masterfully carved, recumbent bull is a manifestation of the ancient Egyptian deity Ptah, the god of Memphis who created the world by "thinking the thought and speaking the word". The Apis bull was a herald or messenger of Ptah who was called the "living Apis, the herald of Ptah, who carries truth upwards to him of the lovely face (Ptah)." In Memphis a living bull was chosen for its special markings, as the representation of the Apis bull and when it died another bull with the same markings was found. The Apis bull was kept at Memphis at a temple dedicated to the bull, with the temple of Ptah located close by. This spirited bronze bull rests atop a bronze base, inscribed with hieroglyphs. The front of the base reads, Iwenet-Menkhet, translated as "Denderah is splendid". Denderah was one of the cult sites for the ancient Egyptian deity Hathor, who was, among other things, the guardian of the mountain of the dead on the left bank at Memphis. The side of the base reads, "Iwenet-Menkhet, given life. One who gives offerings to Hathor. One who builds a shrine." The symbolic hieroglyphs and the sculpted bull combine to give tangible evidence of the devotion that the ancient population of Memphis had toward their god Ptah and their goddess Hathor. - (FZ.282)

Antiquities
Ancient Egyptian
email   facebook   twitter
Seller Details :
Barakat Gallery
405 North Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills
California-90210
USA
Contact Details :
Email : barakat@barakatgallery.com
Phone : 310.859.8408

Go To Vendor Page
« Back
Related Items:

Find