Soap or Bacon?

These two hand carved hippos from Kenya, are made out of talc. In this form better known in English as Soapstone. I do not know when or where I bought them. The only thing I can remember is that they came from Christmas markets in Germany, just like the previously posted sleeping hippo (see post: Nilpferd), but of which city or cities, I forgot. If I feel figurines (especially large ones) made out of this particular stone, it is not too difficult for me to imagine why it is called Soapstone. This made me wonder why in Dutch it is called "Speksteen", which would translate as "Bacon-stone" to English. I don't see or feel anything "bacon" about them.... It could be that the smoothness of the stone, made Dutch people think of a piece of greasy bacon? Maybe the color? Maybe they were hungry, and thought of food all the time? Food for thought, I would say. I am sure, these two hippos do not care whether they are made out of soap or bacon, as long as it is the stone, which makes them look beautiful, forever!

Dino-Po

Don't you think its body looks a bit like a large dinosaur egg, too? I found this wonderfully hand made South African hippo in a tiny shop, about 10 years ago in Utrecht, The Netherlands. We were about to move abroad, almost everything was packed already. While doing some last minute shopping, I stumbled upon this ceramic beauty, and couldn't resist. At home, I did not bother to unpack it, and put it in the "hippo-box" (to be stored) right away. It would be a few years later that we decided to have our things in storage, shipped to our new home in Indonesia. I was so happy to see my collection again, but to finally unpack this "new" hippo, was an extra treat. I call this post Dino-Po... but I think I will have to come up with a more arty or cozy sounding name. On the other hand... it is one of the very few hippos in my collection, feeling like a dinosaur egg, when you hold it... not that I have ever held one, but let's just say.... a huge egg! Oh well, Dino-Po it is!!

Hippo Birthday Painting

This hippo painting came together with another hippo-present. You can find that present on this blog, see post: Hippe (Potamus) the Hippo-Head. My dear friend, who made the hippo head, decided to make a painting. "I thought about a happy birthday card" she said "but, then I thought it would be more fun to make a painting". This kind of casual remarks make me so jealous, because only gifted and creative artists like her can make it sound like it is the easiest thing to do. Not for me. I don't know how to hold a brush and my ceramic art achievements exist of an odd looking ash tray and a candle holder, made in primary school. Worst part: they both look similar.... just to put things in perspective here. 

Painting made by Mrs. Anneke van der Zijden - Steenmeijer 

Hippe, waar bèèèèèèèèèn je??? Is Dutch for: Hippe, where aaaaaare you??? Hippe, of course being the hippo head. This painting is made for my 36th birthday by the absolute coolest hippo-artist I know. Dear Anneke, missing you and Hans very much. La Douce France is a little bit closer, now we have moved, but still not close enough to enjoy your company more often. Don't forget to "kiss the (your) cook" ;-).

Flea Market Find

It is time for another: First! This lovely marble hippo figurine is my very first flea market find! I love roaming around at flea markets, always on the look out for hippos. But they are not easy to find. I remember the guy asking seven and a half Dutch guilders for it (pre-Euro-era... a very long time ago, indeed ;-)). I also remember that it was one of my first bargaining attempts. As I had no idea what I wanted to pay, I simply told the guy it was too expensive. "OK, five guilders then (around five US$)" the guy said. I was so happy! Finally, I found a hippo... and I (sort of) bargained!! The only "problem" with this figurine is that the head is heavier than its body, so it does not take much to make it tilt forward. I just realized it is also my first hippo made of marble. A "double-first-hippo". I don't have many of those.