William Bookends

Our eye-catching bookends were inspired by “William,” The Met’s charming hippopotamus statuette (ca. 1961–1878 B.C.) and unofficial mascot. He makes a clever statement in any home or office as he helps support art books and exhibition catalogs, children’s books, and other volumes.

The original hippo figurine was molded in faience, a ceramic material made of ground quartz. Demonstrating the ancient Egyptian artist’s appreciation for the natural world, the body was painted beneath the blue-green glaze with the outlines of river plants, symbolizing the marshes in which the fearsome animal lived. Since its arrival at The Met in 1917, William has been a visitor favorite.