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Kohl Tube Inscribed for Amunhotep III and Queen Tiye

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
Shaped like a slender reed flute, this tube once contained eye paint called kohl that would have been applied with a wooden or faience stick. Its form may refer to Hathor, a goddess associated with both reeds and music. One of several examples inscribed with the names of the king and queen, this tube was probably a royal possession or a gift to a loyal courtier.
MEDIUM Faience
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1390-1353 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 18
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 5 5/16 in. (13.5 cm) 7/8 x 5 5/16 in. (2.2 x 13.5 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.598E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Deep blue glazed faience kohl tube. On one side of the cylinder a column is inlaid in light blue. This inscription is placed within a light blue frame,. It reads “The Good God, Lord of the Two Lands, Neb ma’at-re (Amenhotep III). The Kingdom, Wife Tiy, granted life”. A shallow indentation forms a border at the bottom of the tube. Condition: Small cracks at bottom; blue glaze missing on half of the “neb” sign.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
    CAPTION Kohl Tube Inscribed for Amunhotep III and Queen Tiye, ca. 1390-1353 B.C.E. Faience, 5 5/16 in. (13.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.598E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.598E_front_bw.jpg)
    IMAGE front, 37.598E_front_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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