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Double Kohl Tube with Applicator

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

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

Eye makeup has been used for millennia.


Ancient Egyptian men and women used a dark substance called kohl as eye makeup for nearly four thousand years, from the Predynastic Period until the Roman occupation in the fourth century c.e. Kohl emphasized the eyes, reduced sun glare, and repelled flies. The common presence of kohl containers in burials indicates that the Egyptians believed these concerns would continue in the afterlife.
MEDIUM Faience (container), bronze (applicator)
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 18
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 4 x 1 9/16 x 11/16 in. (10.2 x 4 x 1.7 cm) Stick: 5 in. (12.7 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 11.671a-b
    CREDIT LINE Museum Collection Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Double kohl tube of deep blue faience, crudely decorated with three vertical black lines on each side and one black band around neck of each tube. Bronze kohl stick inserted in opening between the tubes. Within each tube is a small ball apparently of linen. Very probably they were originally used as stoppers and have worked down. Condition: Good, glaze worn in spots, poor workmanship.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
    CAPTION Double Kohl Tube with Applicator, ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E. Faience (container), bronze (applicator), 4 x 1 9/16 x 11/16 in. (10.2 x 4 x 1.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 11.671a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.11.671a-b_erg456.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, CUR.11.671a-b_erg456.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 9/6/2007
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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