Lot 150
150
A ROMAN BRONZE FIGURE OF AN EGYPTIAN APIS BULL
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus bu… Read more
A ROMAN BRONZE FIGURE OF AN EGYPTIAN APIS BULL

CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.

Details
A ROMAN BRONZE FIGURE OF AN EGYPTIAN APIS BULL
CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.
The prancing bull with left foreleg raised, slight turn of head and heavy dewlap, the tail looped high over the rump, a gold crescent on left side and attachment hole at back of head for Apis headdress (now missing), mounted
2½ in. (6.3 cm.) high
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium

Lot Essay

PUBLISHED:
Animals, 1981, I, no. 62.

The gold crescent appears to be unique among bronze prancing Apis bulls, although the crescent is found on images of the bull on Hadrianic coins, on a stone bull found at Beneventum, and a striding bronze bull now in the Louvre (N3763). According to both Pliny and Aelian, the Apis had a bright, half-moon shaped spot on his flank.

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