Object Description
A fine Egyptian carnelian amulet in the form of two recumbent, mirrored bulls. The bulls have a sun disc between their horns, suggesting their identity as the deity Apis. Facing in opposite directions and connected in the centre, the bulls are depicted with their forelegs stretched out in front of them and their toes carefully incised. Their bovine features have been rendered naturalistically with their nose, eyes and horns still clearly distinguishable. Their shared body is rounded. The bulls rest on a rectangular base and there is a suspension loop at the top of the amulet, between the cattle. The carnelian displays a beautiful translucency in a varied orange-red colour, with natural black and white striations.
Date: Circa 664-332 BC
Period: Late Period