Egyptian Kohl vessel
€1,150
available
Object number
AR3056C
| Object: |
Egyptian Kohl vessel
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| Material: |
Egyptian alabaster, calcite type.
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| Period: |
Late Middle Kingdom to early New Kingdom, 12th to 18th dynasty, approx. 1994 BC to 1292 BC. |
| Description: |
Small vessel for Kohl with bulbous body. The flat base is accentuated by a prominent border. The neck is tapered and terminates in a broad flat rim. This was a pot used for Kohl, the eye cosmetic of the ancient Egyptians. Black remains of the substance are still preserved on the inside of the vessel.
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| Background: |
The ancient Egyptian stone vessels are made to last. They are the perfect equipment for the afterlife. It is therefore no coincidence that the technology for working very hard and durable rock was developed in predynastic Egypt. The art was perfected over time and stone vessels were not only manufactured for the domestic market, but soon established themselves as sought-after export goods for the entire Eastern Mediterranean. Due to their timeless elegance, the stone vessels are extremely popular to this day and never miss in any important collection of Egyptian antiquities. |
| Dimensions: |
42mm height. 41mm diameter.
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| Condition: |
Very good condition. The lip is restored, some small chips accross the body. All in all nice impression and finely polished stone. Black remains are visible on the inside of the pot.
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| Provenance: |
Acquired by us in 2020 on the British art market. Previously in a Swiss family collection, Zuerich. Acquired into the collection between 1975 and 1980 in Egypt, when the family lived in Cairo. Exported in 1980 when the family moved from Egypt to Switzerland.
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| References: |
Cf. Museum of Fine Arts Budapest, acc. no. 51.2473. Similar C. E. Loeben, Aegyptiaca Kestneriana, volume 1 (2020), p. 75, no. III.5. |
| Literature: |
A commendable collection of articles about ancient Egyptian stone vessels can be found in C. E. Loeben, Aegyptiaca Kestneriana, volume 1 (2020).
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| Authenticity: |
We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of every artefact, all items are subject to our lifetime return policy on authenticity.
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