Kohl pot
Unknown Artist
ca. 1802–1640 B.C.
Medium
Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
Dimensions
h. 3.8 cm (1 1/2 in)
Classification
Kohl jar
Period
Middle Kingdom
Department
Egyptian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1922
Accession Number
22.1.246
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate kohl pot, dating to Egypt's Middle Kingdom (ca 1802–1640 B.C.) during Dynasty 13, exemplifies the everyday artistry of ancient Egyptian life. Standing just 3.8 cm tall it was crafted from travertine—known as Egyptian alabaster—a soft, translucent stone prized for its luminous quality and ease of carving. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art through Rogers Fund and Edward S Harkness Gift in 2, this small vessel belongs to the museum's renowned Egyptian Art collection. Kohl pots like this one held the black pigment used for eye makeup, a staple in ancient Egyptian culture fo...