Peck, William H., "The Material World of Ancient Egypt", 2013, Cambridge University Press, , 9781107276383, google books The well-known blue figures of a hippopotamus, placed in the tombs of officials, can be up to 20 cm long, Louvre: Hippopotamus figurine, Department of Egyptian Antiquities: From the late prehistoric period to the late Middle Kingdom (circa 3800 - 1710 BC) approaching the maximum practical size for faience, though the Victoria and Albert Museum in London has a 215 cms faience sceptre from Egypt dated 1427–1400 BC.