Undecorated Kohl Jar with Lid
ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.
1 of 3
Object Label
Kohl, still in use in parts of the world today, was a black eyeliner worn by both men and women in ancient Egypt. It had multiple purposes—highlighting the eyes, reducing the glare of the sun, and repelling flies. When used as a cosmetic, kohl made the wearer more sexually attractive. Explicitly linked to physical conception in the tomb, kohl helped an Egyptian to be reborn.
Caption
Undecorated Kohl Jar with Lid, ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.. Faience, 1 3/4 x 1 7/8 in. (4.5 x 4.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 14.609a-b. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Gallery
Not on view
Title
Undecorated Kohl Jar with Lid
Date
ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.
Dynasty
Dynasty 18
Period
New Kingdom
Geography
Place excavated: Sawama, Egypt
Medium
Faience
Classification
Dimensions
1 3/4 x 1 7/8 in. (4.5 x 4.8 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund
Accession Number
14.609a-b
Frequent Art Questions
What gives this its lovely color?
The shiny surface is the result of glazing, and the blue pigment is probably copper based!This object is made of a material called faience, which you've probably seen all over our Egyptian galleries. Faience is made of a quartz based paste that can be formed into shapes using molds, and then fired.Understood. Thanks so much!Were any cosmetics preserved from Ancient Egypt?
Sometimes traces of cosmetics remain in containers or on palettes. One of the most common examples is kohl, which ancient Egyptians used to line their eyes. It was made from grinding a mineral known as stibnite.
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