LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.

Details

AN EGYPTIAN ELECTRUM-INLAID BRONZE APIS BULL
LATE PERIOD, 664-332 B.C.
6 ½ in. (16.5 cm.) long

Provenance

Werke Ägyptischer Kunst, Münzen und Medaillen, Basel, 28 April 1972, lot 68.
The Resandro Collection, Munich, acquired from the above.
The Resandro Collection, Christie's, London, 6 December 2016, lot 139.
with Ariadne Galleries, New York and London, acquired from the above.
Acquired by the current owner from the above, 2017.

Literature

E. Winter, Der Apiskult im alten Ägypten, Mainz, 1983, pp. 32-33, no. 14.
S. Schoske and D. Wildung, Entdeckungen: Ägyptische Kunst in Süddeutschland, Munich, 1985, pp. 127-128, no. 110.
S. Schoske and D. Wildung, Gott und Götter im Alten Ägypten, Mainz am Rhein, 1992, pp. 95-97, no. 65.
J. Malek, et al., Topographical Bibliography of Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphic Texts, Statues, Reliefs and Paintings, vol. 8, part 2, Oxford, 1999, p. 1123, no. 802-090-920.
I. Grimm-Stadelmann, ed., Aesthetic Glimpses: Masterpieces of Egyptian Art, The Resandro Collection, Munich, 2012, p. 159, no. R-472.
M. Gerlis, “Frieze Masters,” Apollo Magazine, October 2017, p. 64, fig. 1.

Exhibited

Munich, Galerie der Bayerischen Landesbank, Entdeckungen: Ägyptische Kunst in Süddeutschland, 30 August-6 October 1985.
Berlin, Ägyptisches Museum und Papyrussammlung; Munich, Staatliche Sammlung Ägyptischer Kunst; Hamburg, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Gott und Götter im Alten Ägypten, 1992-1993.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Hannah Fox Solomon Head of Department, Specialist

hsolomon@christies.com +1 212 636 2256

Lot Essay

This richly detailed bronze figure of the sacred Apis bull wears not only a winged sun disk with a uraeus, but also a beaded blanket on its back decorated with scarab beetles, above and below which are a winged scarab and a vulture, symbols of solar rebirth and royal power. The dedicatory inscription on the front and right side of the base asks Osiris-Apis for a long life and a perfect old age for the donor, Amen-nu-Anet, son of Djed-Hor, born of Neith-ir-di-es (his mother).

For a complete translation, please contact the department.

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