William the Hippo statuette is more than just an adorable blue figure, it’s a thoughtful ancient cautionary tale come to life. From its vibrant faience glaze to the purposeful damage to its limbs, this little hippo embodies how ancient Egyptians balanced charm with caution in ways that still feel fresh today.
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| William the Hippo statuette with one broken leg / Image Credit: MET |
Ancient Egypt’s clever charm
The statuette of William the Hippo was found in the tomb of Senbi II, an Egyptian steward, placed alongside objects meant to guide and protect him on his journey to the afterlife. Made during the Middle Kingdom era, around 1961–1878 BCE. This hippo is crafted from Egyptian faience, an eye-catching glazed ceramic material that shines with blue-green tones.
Why break a hippo’s legs?
Here’s the twist: William’s three legs were deliberately broken before the statuette was buried. It seems puzzling at first—why would they disable a protective figurine? But the answer is rooted in Egyptian beliefs: hippos were seen as powerful and potentially chaotic, especially in the afterlife. By crippling William, they neutralized any harmful potential while still benefiting from the protective symbolism.
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| William the Hippo statuette with one broken leg / Image Credit: MET |
A dual story of danger and protection
That cobalt-blue glow and lotus-patterned decoration might seem playful, but beneath that surface lies a deeper narrative. Hippos were admired for power and fertility, yet feared for their aggression and unpredictability. The statuette's presence in tombs was meant to offer protection, but with a nod to caution—keeping chaos at bay through symbolic disablement.
William’s modern legacy
Its modern name, "William," only adds to the statuette’s charm. In 1931, a family humorously named their framed print of the hippo “William” in Punch magazine, and the nickname stuck, eventually becoming part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s lore. Today, William is not just an artifact; he’s a beloved unofficial mascot of the Met, charming visitors with a wink of history and mystery.
Why William still matters
Stories like William the Hippo statuette remind us that ancient people were both deeply symbolic thinkers and practical too. They knew that powerful forces (like the unpredictable hippo) could be harnessed with creativity. There’s something quietly reassuring in knowing that even people long ago tried to prepare for what lay ahead.