Kohl jar

The small, elegant, low-shouldered kohl jar, which follows the classical form standardised, in the Middle Kingdom, has a narrow neck and a wide, thin rim. In its original form, it probably had a flat, disk-shaped lid, a kohl stick, the so-called applicator – also introduced in the Middle Kingdom –, and a textile cover, fixed with leather cord, to stabilise the lid. The kohl jar was made of a noble material, as was customary, in this case, the most commonly used Egyptian alabaster or travertine. Its material, shape, and size date the jar to the New Kingdom, primarily to the Eighteenth Dynasty. The eyepaint was contained in a narrow depression, in which the substance made of black galena could be easily and safely mixed with the help of the applicator. By this time, the green pigment made of copper-based malachite, which was popular in the Old Kingdom, was used less frequently.

The dark make-up painted around the eyes served both an aesthetic, decorative purpose and a practical, medical function. Mixed with other medicinal substances and giving the eyes some shade, lead-containing galena had an antiseptic effect: it was a means of preventing and alleviating eye diseases caused by hot climate, strong sunlight, and sandstorms. It can be demonstrated that the substance contained synthetic ingredients, so its production required considerable expertise. Kohl jars were personal items for everyday life, but they were often carried on as grave goods for the afterlife, especially during the Eighteenth Dynasty, consequently, the precious material they were made of was also of great importance.