Cosmetic Vessel

Red and white breccia kohl pot with the cartouche of Queen Ahmose-Nefertari, the wife of Ahmose, founder of the 18th Dynasty and regent for her young son Amenhotep I. Inscribed in hieroglyphs atypically orientated left, "Ahmes Nefertary, may she live!." [iaH-ms nfrt-iry anX ti]. The red breccia consists of angular white fragments of stone in a red matrix, and is a rare material for vases in the New Kingdom. The pot is chipped on the base and on the rim with many pieces missing and the largest piece being mended back with adhesive. Base is marked in ink 2320. Wellcome Historical Medical Museum accession no. 17240: "Two Kohl pots in red breccia. Badly damaged. 2" high. Mc3997, Mc2320".; Purchased at Sotheby's, London, 26 June - 6 July 1922 (MacGregor Collection) Lot 1063: "Seven miscellaneous vessels, in red breccia and other stones, comprising two kohl-pots of conventional shape, about 2 in. high; a conical kohl-pot, showing traces of a ring lip in the process of making, and scratchings round the vase indicating the method of manufacture, and other interesting forms".