Collections

Search Collections
  • Home
  • Collections
  • projects
  • Modern
  • Exhibitions
  • What's On
  • Education
  • World Art Forum
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Support Us
  • About Us
  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Useful Links

Events

 
Jul 2013 Calendar for August 2013
S M T W T F S
  1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31        
Subscribe

Figure of a walking hippopotamus

Figure of a walking hippopotamus

From Robert & Lisa Sainsbury Collection

Egypt
Dynasty XII; c. 1880 BC
Faience (ceramic)
Height: 18.4 cm
Acquired: 1950
UEA 306

Hippopotami were feared animals in ancient Egypt, their great bulk capable of destroying crops and trampling anything in their path. This irresistible ceramic hippo would have been used to ward off danger and was probably placed in a grave to protect the tomb and assist in the re-birth of the deceased.

« Back to collection listing