Description

This type of small container was used for storing the popular eye-liner, kohl. As is usual with these jars, the interior drilling does not match the contour of the jar, and is almost pencil- shaped, long and narrow with a pointed bottom. There are still traces of dark material inside. The container's  original flat stone lid is 909.80.170 B.

Ancient Egyptian eye make-up may have had some health benefits.  Most obviously, eye-shadow might have helped to dull the glare of sharp sunlight.  The lead in galena used for black kohl may have helped to deter insect infestations of the eyes, and the copper in the malachite green eye-paint may have had some slight anti-bacterial qualities.  Whatever health benefits there may or may not have been, eye-liner and eye-shadow were popular with both sexes at all periods of Egyptian history.