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Circular Cosmetic Container with Lid

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
MEDIUM Elephant ivory, wood, pigment, frit (?), and resin (?)
  • Reportedly From: Saqqara, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 18
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 1 5/8 × 3 1/2 in. (4.1 × 8.9 cm) mount: 12 × 3 1/4 × 2 1/2 in. (30.5 × 8.3 × 6.4 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.597Ea-b
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION A circular, convex shaped toilet dish with lid. The dish is probably hippopotamus ivory and has square projections to receive the lid pegs. The upper edge of the bowl curves inward and then flattens at the upper edge. The wooden lid opens on a swivel. The top surface of the lid is decorated with an incised rosette representing a lotus. Two incised lines circle the rosette. A hole in the side of one projection seems to have the purpose of keeping one of the lid pegs in. This would be accomplished by inserting a peg in the hole, it would then press against the lid peg. There is slight evidence of blue frit in the incised area. The lid does not fit the bowl since the holes for the pegs do not correspond between the two parts of the dish. Condition: Complete except for an area gouged on the underside of bowl.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
    CAPTION Circular Cosmetic Container with Lid, ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E. Elephant ivory, wood, pigment, frit (?), and resin (?), 1 5/8 × 3 1/2 in. (4.1 × 8.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.597Ea-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.597Ea-b_view1_PS4.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 37.597Ea-b_view1_PS4.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2016
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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