Kohl Jar
Description
Anhydrite
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 small lidded vessel carved from light-colored stone with a rounded bulbous body and a flat circular lid, characteristic of ancient Egyptian cosmetic containers.
This is a small cosmetic jar typical of the Middle Kingdom period, crafted from anhydrite or similar light-colored stone. The vessel displays a rounded, bulbous body that tapers slightly toward the base, which sits on a small ring foot. The design features a prominent flat circular lid that fits over the vessel's rim, creating a secure closure. The proportions and smooth, refined finishing are consistent with kohl jars used to store eye makeup. The pale stone exhibits a slightly mottled appearance with areas of darker discoloration from age and mineral deposits. There is no visible carved decoration, inscriptions, or hieroglyphic text on the exterior surfaces. The craftsmanship is clean and geometric, emphasizing functional elegance rather than decorative elaboration.
Cross-references (4)
- Wikidata-Q Q116726726 tier-1
- Collection-QID Q160236 tier-2 (wikidata-mediated)
- Inventory-Number 13.180.19a–c tier-2 (wikidata-mediated)
- MET-Object 543982 tier-2 (wikidata-mediated)
About this record's data
- From the source institution — accession, description, dimensions, and dating are as catalogued by Metropolitan Museum of Art — Egyptian Art (Open Access).
- AI-inferred — the image-analysis panel (deities, names, signs) is machine-generated and may be wrong.
- Approximate location — most map points are plotted at the site centroid, not the exact findspot.
- Inferred links — cross-references marked with a match method other than explicit-source-field were matched by us, not stated by the source.