An Ancient Egyptian carved alabaster cosmetics jar, known as a kohl jar. The jar has a collared rim, tapering from the shoulders to a flat base, and a carved interior recess which tapers slightly and extends approximately 3 cms from the rim.

Middle Kingdom: Circa 2040-1782 BC.

Very Fine condition.
Height 7.3 cms (2.9 ins). 

Provenance: Private collection, Zurich, acquired in 1975 when the owners lived in Cairo (1975-1980). Bonhams London, Antiquities, 23 July 2020, lot 119 (part lot).

The Ancient Egyptians (both men and women) wore kohl on their eyelids as protection against the glare of the sun. They would grind down galena, also known as kohl, on the palette and then mix it with an unguent that detracted flies and kept infectious bacteria at bay. This paste was deposited into a small jar, usually of alabaster. A tapered wand was dipped into this jar, and the black kohl mixture applied around the eyes. Its popularity was in part due to the aesthetics, in part to the medicinal value, but it also worked as a shield to the sun’s glare.