Antiquities - ancient Egyptian Middle Kingdom alabaster kohl pot

E47

Egyptian Middle Kingdom alabaster kohl pot

£1400

A fine quality carved and polished alabaster vessel and lid, used for the storage of kohl.

This vessel, of typical Dynasty XII shape, consists of a wide body which has been hollowed leaving a fairly narrow opening on the rim. A lug on the underside of the lid fits snugly into the aperture of the rim.

A substantial amount of the ancient kohl is still contained inside this vessel. Kohl was used as the major cosmetic of the ancient Egyptians, in modern terms it could be called eye-liner though it had multiple applications. Kohl was manufactured using lead-extracts and soot to produce a fine black paste.

The lead content made kohl toxic, but it has been in use since the Bronze Age and may have originated as a form of eye protection from the glare of the sun by painting the eyelids (as a way of blocking ray penetration, especially on children). It is still used in many areas of the Indian subcontinent and Far East.

Egypt, Middle Kingdom, Twelfth Dynasty, 1991-1786 BC

Intact, good patina and wonderful condition.

Size: 5.6 x 7.2 cms

Ex. private collection, London, UK.

Cf. Les Objets de Toilette Egyptiens, Musee du Louvre, 1972.

www.heliosgallery.com

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