This cute looking fella looks a bit like a little brother of William, the unofficial mascot of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (see post: William). Although they are not brothers, they do have a lot in common. Origin, color and papyrus flower decorations to begin with. Both original pieces, have their legs broken / damaged, to prevent them from chasing and attacking people in the afterlife. And both can be found in a museum, only the museums are miles apart. William's home is the Metropolitan in New York City - USA, while this hippo can be found in the Dutch National Museum (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden) in Leiden - The Netherlands.
Dear Rolf, I am very sorry you too are infected with the "looking for hippos" virus. But without it, you and Klaas would not have found this beautiful figurine, so I am not that sorry ;-). Thank you for thinking about me, and I can't wait to formally introduce you to William, when you visit us next spring!
(from the website of the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden: information about the original figurine: Object: votive figurine, Dating: 2000 - 1800 BC, Material: faience, Measurements: height 10 cm (3,9 inch), length 20 cm (7,8 inch), Origin: Egypt, Collection: Egypt, Object number: AED170)
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