Kohl tube and stick

Unknown

ca. 1550–1458 B.C. · Wood, ebony, ivory, copper · Egyptian Art

This container for an eye cosmetic called kohl, is a marvelous little portable makeup kit. It consists of an octagonal wooden tube with an ivory base and lid. The lid swivels around a wooden peg. Four wire loops are attached to the main body of the container. The two on the front hold a piece of ivory carved in the shape of an ancient Egyptian door bolt. When pushed upward this bolt fit into another wire loop on the lid (now missing) and closed the container. The two loops on the side of the container hold the kohl stick with which the owner applied the cosmetic. This kohl tube was found in a basket with a set of cosmetic implements (26.7.837a–d), which includes a mirror, a razor, a whetstone, and a pair of tweezers.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1550–1458 B.C.

Medium

Wood, ebony, ivory, copper

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926