Kohl Jar and Stick (with 16.10.373c)

AI image analysis claude-haiku-4-5

Machine-generated from the object's image on May 2026. Not curatorial; treat deities, names, and signs below as the model's best reading, not authority.

A travertine cosmetic (kohl) jar with matching lid and applicator stick, used for storing eye paint in ancient Egypt. The vessel features a simple bulbous form with a flat, recessed rim suitable for holding a lid.

This artifact represents a functional cosmetic vessel typical of the Second Intermediate Period to Early New Kingdom era. The jar exhibits the characteristic squat, bulbous proportions of Egyptian kohl containers, carved from a single piece of cream-colored travertine (Egyptian alabaster). The surface shows subtle patination and wear consistent with age. The flat, wide rim has a shallow depression designed to accommodate the accompanying disc-shaped lid, which appears to have a raised central knob for handling. The lid shows darker staining, likely from centuries of contact with kohl residue. The applicator stick, fashioned from a darker wood material, has a slender shaft with a small rounded or flattened end for applying the cosmetic. The overall composition reflects the pragmatic elegance of ancient Egyptian utilitarian objects, with form following function.