Jar for Eye Paint (kohl)

Art Historical Context

Step into the world of ancient Egypt with this elegant **Jar for Eye Paint (ohl)**, crafted around 1850–1700 B.C. during the Late Middle Kingdom (Dynasty 12, late, to Dynasty 13). Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Egyptian Art department, this unassuming black stone vessel was a practical yet refined everyday object, gifted by Helen Miller Gould in 1910. Kohl, a dark pigment made from minerals like galena, was essential for lining the eyes, offering both cosmetic allure and believed protection against the evil eye and harsh desert sun. The jar's black stone—likely a durable variety s...