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Hippopotamus

Egyptian (Artist)
mid 4th millennium BCE (Predynastic)
hippopotamus ivory
(Ancient Egypt and Nubia , )

This figure of a hippopotamus has a platform on its back. The hooves are indicated schematically. A ridge suggests the eyes. File marks remain on the surface of the dense ivory. There are some cracks and the snout is partly broken off.

The style of the carving is unusual. The platform here may imitate the hollowed projections for ointments on the backs of other hippopotamuses of the period.

Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

MacGregor Collection [date and mode of acquisition unknown] [lot 708]; Dikran Kelekian, New York and Paris [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1923, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Conservation

Date Description Narrative
8/21/1998 Examination survey
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Geographies

Egypt (Place of Origin)

Measurements

H: 7/8 x W: 1/2 x D: 1 3/8 in. (2.22 x 1.27 x 3.49 cm)

Credit Line

Acquired by Henry Walters, 1923

Location in Museum

Not on view

Accession Number

In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.

71.530

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  • Wednesday—Sunday: 10 a.m.—5 p.m.
  • Thursday: 1–8 p.m.
  • Monday—Tuesday: Closed

Location

600 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD
21201

Phone

410-547-9000

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