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Cosmetic Vessel
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Cosmetic vessels would have once contained scented oils or ointments used for beautifying the body, while kohl containers held the eye paint seen in many depictions of ancient Egyptians. Galena, a mineral used in eye paint, helped reflect the sun and repelled insects and tiny organisms that could cause eye disease and blindness. Cosmetics were an essential element of daily life and associated with upholding the ancient Egyptians’ high standards of cleanliness.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineCosmetic Vessel, c. 1980–1901 BCE. Egypt, Middle Kingdom (2040–1648 BCE), Dynasty 12. Anhydrite; diameter: 7 cm (2 3/4 in.); overall: 6.8 cm (2 11/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Edwin R. and Harriet Pelton Perkins Memorial Fund, 1982.3
