This photo comes courtesy of the lovely Mindy Klasky. And I think it speaks for itself, my friends.

In case you can’t read what that says…

Glazed composition hippopotamus

Middle Kingdom, about 2055-1650BC

Provenance unrecorded

The destructive character of the hippopotamus led it to be regarded as a hostile force by the Egyptians. This model, decorated with marsh plants, evokes the pleasures and dangers of marshland. It was probably placed in a tomb, its legs (now restored) possibly deliberately broken off to render it harmless to the deceased person.