Wedjat Eye Amulet
Egyptian Art
Place of production | Egypt |
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Date | 7th-6th centuries B.C. (664-525) |
Object type | sculpture |
Medium, technique | bronze |
Dimensions | 6.2 x 2.1 x 5.2 cm |
Inventory number | 51.1280 |
Collection | Egyptian Art |
On view | This artwork is not on display |
Apis, “the king of all sacred animals” in Egypt is depicted in this 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.
Standing on a pedestal, the bull is striding forward with its left foreleg. His body has a slightly elongated form, and he is wearing a sun disc between his horns. The surface of the statue is oxidised. There is a pin in the middle part of the pedestal.
This record is subject to revision due to ongoing research.