Large Terracotta Hippopotamus

Culture: Egyptian

Period: Middle Kingdom, 2040-1648 B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 13.5 cm long

Price: Sold

Ref: 1350

Provenance: Collection of the art dealer Elias David (1891-1969). Last in a French collection. Accompanied by a French antiquities passport.

Condition: Except for some weathering intact.

Description: Large, hand-formed terracotta hippopotamus on its original plinth. The animal with a rounded back, short legs, stumpy tail and a massive, slightly lowered head. The ears, eyes and nostrils spherical and large. In the Middle Kingdom, hippopotamus were often given to the grave as the strong animal was a symbol of regeneration in the afterlife. In addition, the fearsome animal that the living feared should also frighten grave robbers. With remains of white painting.