Replica / Bronze copy after Egyptian hippopotamus
Black and green patinated bronze
Approx 28 x 16 x 12 cm

Open Edition

Currently delivery time
Approx 4 - 6 weeks

Original:

Egyptian
Around 3000 B.C.
Calcite
29 x 16 x 12 cm

Discover a replica of a rare treasure from Egypt's earliest history—a charming hippopotamus figurine likely dating back to the beginning of the 1st Dynasty. This exquisite piece features an exaggeratedly large head and eyes compared to its body, capturing the artistic essence of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship.

In ancient times, the dangerous and powerful hippos roamed along the banks of the Nile and were considered divine beings. Likely originating from a temple, this figurine assumably symbolizes a deity or force that, according to Egyptian belief, manifested as a hippopotamus. Herds of hippos constantly threatened farmers' fields, leading the first pharaohs to hunt them in the marshes and drive them far south into Upper Egypt.

Over time, hippos became associated with chaos, and the hunt for them became a metaphor for the pharaohs' ability to conquer evil. Small sculptures like this one were placed in tombs as reminders of the Egyptians' love of hunting. To render them harmless in the afterlife, each sculpted hippo's legs were ritually broken—a testament to the intricate rituals of ancient Egyptian culture.

Add this significant artifact to your collection and own a piece that embodies the hippopotamus's mystique, power, and spiritual significance in ancient Egyptian mythology.