William Ornament

$29.95 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Christmas ornaments. This hand-painted ornament pays homage to "William©," The Met's unofficial mascot and visitor favorite since the original hippopotamus statuette's (ca. 1961–1878 BCE) arrival at the Museum in 1917. The ancient Egyptian figurine demonstrates the artist's appreciation for the natural world. Beneath its blue-green glaze, the body is painted with the outlines of river plants—likewise reimagined on our ornament—symbolizing the marshes in which the animal lived. Add…