This small glass cube consist of an opaque turquoise matrix with an inlay of an Apis bull standing in profile; his opaque white body with black head, markings along the back and a black tail. The four white legs with a black outline and ending in black hooves. Semi-translucent light brown horns hold an opaque red sun disk above its head.
Apis was a bull-god who was sent by the god Ptah to communicate with mankind. In dynastic Egypt, an Apis bull was chosen to live near the temple of Ptah where he was worshipped, living in luxury in exchange for delivering oracles. When the bull died, it was entombed in a sarcophagus in an elaborate ceremony and replaced with a new Apis bull. (Reference: Carol Andrews, Amulets of Ancient Egypt. British Museum Press, Bath, 1994. Page 24)
Condition: The piece is intact and in very good condition, minor wear and loss to the bottom side of the cube so the ends of the bull's two front legs are lost.
Dimensions:0.5 inch (1.3 centimeter) x 0.4 inch (1 centimeter) x 0.4 inch (1 centimeter)
Provenance: Private Californian collection, by descent to present owner.
