Statue of the Apis bull

Apis, “the king of all sacred animals” in Egypt is depicted in this votive bronze statue, probably dated to the Late Period. Thanks to the numerous positive characteristics attributed to bulls (procreative power, unfettered life energy), the Apis bull and its cult became part of the rituals connected to Egyptian kingship as early as the beginnings of the country’s written history. In the Late Period, votive bronze statues were produced and erected en masse to pay tribute to the Apis bull, which was considered the living image and earthly manifestation of Ptah.
The sacred animal is depicted in its standard position striding forward with its left leg. A part of the horns and the sun disc with the uraeus snake are missing from the damaged head, however, despite the oxidised surface, the shroud covering the back of the animal can be traced well.