An excellent Ancient Egyptian statuette of the Apis Bull cast in bronze. The animal is depicted naturalistically, striding forward, its long body supported by slender limbs. The head is carefully detailed with large incised eyes, a round mouth and circular ears. A solar disc and a uraeus rest between the horns of the bull. The body of the statuette is further enriched with stunningly detailed incised decorations, including a winged scarab around the neck of the bull, a hatched saddle blanket around the middle, and a falcon at the base of the tail. The head and the solar disc reveal traces of original gilding. The statuette is supplied with a custom-made stand. The Apis Bull was the most popular bull cult established in Ancient Egypt, with worship continuing right into the Roman Period. The Apis Bull was considered to be the son of Hathor, and so also shared in her attributes. The Apis Bull featured in many rituals, which sought to maximise the fertilisation of the land. These involved the selection of a living bull bearing a resemblance to the Apis Bull, which was then worshipped for much of its life. It was kept alive for up to 25 years (although it often died naturally before this time) and was then ceremonially killed. Another ‘Apis Bull’ was then selected, and thus the ritual symbolised the cycle of rebirth: death was not considered to be the end of life, but merely a transition to the realm of Osiris. The Apis Bull was also associated with Ptah, characterised as his herald. In this role, the bull was an animal linked to the pharaoh and a manifistation of the king. They were recognised for their strength and virility. Measurements: Height with stand: 10.5cm x Width with stand: 8.6cm Height of the bull: 7.7cm x Width of the bull: 8cm Provenance: From an old English collection,