Hippo
ca. 1938-1539 B.C.E.
Maker Unknown
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
Placing an image of a hippo in the tomb was believed to provide powerful protection for the spirit of the deceased. At the same time, hippos evoke chaotic forces because of the danger they pose to humans as wild animals in this world. For this reason, Egyptians often snapped off the legs of hippopotamus statuettes before placing them in tombs. The broken stumps of the statuette’s legs demonstrate how bright blue glaze adhered to the white faience.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Formatted Medium
- Faience
- Medium
- faience
- Locations
- Place made: Egypt
- Dynasty
- Dynasty 12 to Dynasty 17
- Dimensions
- 3 × 2 1/4 × 4 1/2 in. (7.6 × 5.7 × 11.4 cm)
- Accession Number
- 35.1276
- Credit Line
- Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- Old Kingdom to 18th Dynasty, Egyptian Galleries, 3rd Floor
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