Cosmetic Palette

1973.2.291

Information

Slab of polished cream coloured stone with dark patches (smoky quartz or calcite?) typical of palettes used for grinding eye-paint found in graves of A Group culture. Trace of green mineral on one side. Adhered to the surface is a large label from the 1922 Sotheby's auction of Reverend William MacGregor's collection. CONDITION NOTE (1998): Worn, label adhered to surface. Purchased for Henry Wellcome at Sotheby's 26 June - 06 July 1922 (MacGregor Collection) Lot 1116: "Three Grinder Stones, one in aragonite, 61/2 in by 4 1/4 in; the others in black and white mottled granite, the larger 5 1/2 in by 3 3/8 in, the smaller 45/8 in by 33/4in; also a section of a nodule of flint almost circular, with a coating of white silica enclosing it like a ring".