Kohl Jar of Sithathoryunet

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 cosmetic vessel with a spherical polished black stone body and a fitted gold or gilded bronze rim with a shallow lid, typical of Middle Kingdom royal kohl jars.

This artifact exemplifies the refined metalwork and stone-working techniques of the Middle Kingdom. The vessel features a smoothly finished black stone (obsidian) globular body with a pronounced shoulder. The rim and lid are fashioned from gold or gold-leaf over bronze, fitted precisely to the stone body. The gold work shows classical proportions with a slightly raised lip and a shallow flat lid surface. The overall composition reflects the functional design of cosmetic containers used for kohl (eye makeup) and other valuable unguents, combining durable stone with precious metal fittings. The craftsmanship is characteristic of royal workshops. The polished finish of the black stone and the pristine condition of the gold work suggest this was an object of significant status and careful preservation.