This little statuette, excavated in 1910 from the tomb of nomarch Senbi II at Meir, in Egypt, has become the beloved unofficial mascot of the Met. It was made during the 12th dynasty, between 1961 BCE and 1878 BCE. Just 11.2 cm tall, and 20 cm long, little William is painted blue faience and decorated with images of lotus flowers, buds, and leaves to symbolize regeneration.
He wasn’t just a cute figurine though. To the ancient Egyptians, hippos were powerful and dangerous man-killers. Perhaps that is why he was found with just one leg, to mitigate the damage he could do in the afterlife; the rest of the legs you see are modern add-ons.
fair--y backup 