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Cosmetic Container in Form of Trussed Goose

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
Cosmetic Containers

Like us, the ancient Egyptians used cosmetics, and often for the same purposes.


Archaeologists use the term “cosmetic container” to describe a variety of Egyptian boxes that once held scented, oil-based ointments. The salves in these boxes were used by women and men to heighten sexual allure and to camouflage body odor. Orange or yellow stains seen on ancient representations of clothing and on actual surviving linen garments show how liberally such ointments were applied.
MEDIUM Ivory
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 18
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 2 1/16 x 4 1/4 in. (5.3 x 10.8 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 49.63a-b
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION [Introductory Gallery 2022] 7. Cosmetic Container in Form of Trussed Goose New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, circa 1539–1292 B.C.E. Ivory Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 49.63a-b Provenance: Not yet documented. Thought to be from Thebes, Egypt. In the Hood collection, by at least 1924. In the collection of William Randolph Hearst, prior to 1939; purchased by the Brummer Gallery, New York, New York, around 1939; purchased from the Brummer Gallery, 1949.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
    CAPTION Cosmetic Container in Form of Trussed Goose, ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E. Ivory, 2 1/16 x 4 1/4 in. (5.3 x 10.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 49.63a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.49.63a-b_erg456.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, CUR.49.63a-b_erg456.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 9/6/2007
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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