Isis, the Mother of Apis
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
The mother of the Apis bull was honored as a form of the goddess Isis, who was associated with the mother of the king. The mother of the Apis bull was also buried with great ceremony.
This ornament representing the mother of the Apis wears an ostrich feather crown, a sun disk guarded by a uraeus-cobra, long cow horns, and long human hair arranged in the style of queens. Between her eyes is the diamond spot that also marked Apis bulls.
MEDIUM
Bronze
DATES
ca. 670–332 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
late Dynasty 25 to early Dynasty 26
PERIOD
Third Intermediate Period to Late Period
DIMENSIONS
4 1/2 x 2 3/4 x 3 3/8 in. (11.5 x 7 x 8.5 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
73.25
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
A bronze finial with head of Apis bull wearing sun disk with uraeus surmounted by two plumes and wearing lappet wig and floral collar with falcon terminals. Single menat from back of plumes to shoulder area. Two columns of inscription on shaft.
Condition: Excellent. Brown patina with green in areas. Small portion gone from lower edge of broad collar and portion gone from lower edge of finial shaft.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Egyptian. Isis, the Mother of Apis, ca. 670–332 B.C.E. Bronze, 4 1/2 x 2 3/4 x 3 3/8 in. (11.5 x 7 x 8.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 73.25. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum (Gavin Ashworth,er), 73.25_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 73.25_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph (Gavin Ashworth, photographer), 2012
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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