Apis Bull
1 of 2
Object Label
The cult of the Apis bull at Memphis was one of the oldest cults in Egypt, dating to Dynasty I and perhaps even the Predynastic Period. The Apis bull was a manifestation of the god Ptah and an intermediary for that god as well, thus endowed with oracular powers. At the death of an Apis bull, the underground burial chambers where his mummy would be interred were opened for a period of seventy days. During that time, private individuals would erect stelae and leave votive offerings for the deceased bull, asking for benefits like good health and longevity for themselves and their kin. This bronze is quite likely such a votive.
Caption
Apis Bull, 381–343 B.C.E.. Bronze, 3 9/16 × 1 1/8 × 2 3/4 in. (9 × 2.9 × 7 cm) As mounted: 5 1/8 × 2 3/16 × 3 in. (13 × 5.5 × 7.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 05.367. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 05.367_edited_SL3.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Gallery
Not on view
Title
Apis Bull
Date
381–343 B.C.E.
Dynasty
Dynasty 30
Period
Late Period
Medium
Bronze
Classification
Dimensions
3 9/16 × 1 1/8 × 2 3/4 in. (9 × 2.9 × 7 cm) As mounted: 5 1/8 × 2 3/16 × 3 in. (13 × 5.5 × 7.6 cm)
Credit Line
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Accession Number
05.367
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.
Have information?
Have information about an artwork? Contact us at