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Oryx Dish

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 Faience
  • Place Made: Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 18
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 2 13/16 × 4 13/16 × 13/16 in. (7.1 × 12.3 × 2 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 86.226.16
    CREDIT LINE Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Toilet dish in green faience, spotted with pale black manganese markings in the shape of an antelope (oryx algazel dammah) lying on its side facing right, with its feet trussed, head outstretched, and horns on back. Other side hollow as receptacle. Short beard. Condition: Somewhat discolored and corroded. Beard partly missing; back portion of belly slightly damaged. Otherwise in good condition.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
    CAPTION Oryx Dish, ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E. Faience, 2 13/16 × 4 13/16 × 13/16 in. (7.1 × 12.3 × 2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.226.16. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.86.226.16_overall.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, CUR.86.226.16_overall.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2023
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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     <em>Oryx Dish</em>, ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E. Faience, 2 13/16 × 4 13/16 × 13/16 in. (7.1 × 12.3 × 2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.226.16. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.86.226.16_overall.jpg)