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Figura de hipopótamo

Middle Kingdom
ca. 1961–1878 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 111
Aunque un rebaño de hipopótamos podía pisotear las cosechas y destruirlas, los antiguos egipcios adoraban a esos animales y los consideraban criaturas benéficas de las aguas lodosas de las que se derivan todas las formas de la vida. La dualidad entre destrucción y creación imbuía las imágenes de hipopótamos de un poder mágico especial, por lo que se solían depositar en las tumbas. El hipopótamo del Museo fue apodado William por una familia de visitantes que relataron a la revista humorística Punch que tenían una reproducción en su casa, confesando que las expresiones faciales del animal les indicaban si aprobaba o rechazaba las decisiones de la familia.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Título: Figura de hipopótamo
  • Periodo: Principios del Imperio Medio, principios de la Dinastía XII
  • Fecha: ca. 1981–1885 a. C.
  • Geografía: Meir, tumba de Senbi
  • Material: Fayenza
  • Dimensiones: 11,2 x 20 cm
  • Crédito: Donación de Edward S. Harkness, 1917
  • Número de inventario: 17.9.1
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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3355. Figura de hipopótamo

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