William the Hippopotamus

Posted by Robin Fowler Nov 19, 2007

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is renowned for its vast collection of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian art and artifacts. One piece stands above all the others, and has emerged as the unofficial mascot of the museum. Dubbed "William", a blue faience hippopotamus, dating to about 1900 B.C., it is a fine example of an ancient fornm of craft, known as faience, which is a type of glazed earthenware pottery.

William came to the Metropolitan Museum in 1917, when it was donated by Edward Harkness. William was originally discovered in 1910, in the Tomb of Senbi at Meir. William has captured the hearts of myuseum visitors ever since his arrival there, and reproductions of William can be bought, along with smaller figurunes, stuffed animals, and more.

William is only one of many, many faience hippos and other figurines that were crafted by the Ancient Egyptians. They were used as protective amulets and figurines in the home, and they were placed in tombs to protect and aid in the journey to the afterlife.