The Met Store Office*William Bookmark

Gifts for art lovers inspired by The Met collection.

This bookmark celebrates a beloved faience hippopotamus figure (ca. 1961–1878 B.C.) in The Met’s Egyptian Art collection. The well-formed statuette demonstrates the Egyptian artist’s appreciation for the natural world. Its bright blue color and the lotus flowers that adorn its body symbolize life and rebirth. Since its arrival in 1917, this hippo has been a Museum favorite and for many years has been known as “William.”