Cosmetic Vessel

Kohl vase in ivory formed of two cylinders fixed in a rectangular base and joined together near the top by a bar of ivory. Both cylinders have wooden dome-shaped stoppers. There are remains of lead oxide (kohl) inside the cylinders. There is a hole for an applicator stick in the bar. Fine technique. One cylinder is cracked and mended. Joseph Mayer acquired this from the Sams collection (no. 253) when it was described as having a "curious sort of phallic ornament" of ivory between the two cylinders. Compare with an 18th Dynasty example of the same style excavated by the EEF at Abydos tomb D115 (now in Boston Museum of Fine Arts). One tube is broken in half an mended from fragments.