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Circular Cosmetic Box with a Swivel Lid

New Kingdom
ca. 1491–1473 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 116
This box has a swivel top incised with a decorative pattern of concentric and overlapping circles that must have been made with an early version of a drawing compass. The inside of the box was incised with a simple rosette design. The box was found inside a coffin discovered in the tomb of Hatnefer. Other objects in the Museum's collection that were found in the same coffin include: a bowl and two dishes of faience (36.3.9–.10); two mirrors; and five amulets (36.3.20–.24).

A similar box from the same period, but made of ivory, is also in the Museum's collection.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Circular Cosmetic Box with a Swivel Lid
  • Period: New Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 18, early
  • Reign: reign of Thutmose II–Early Joint reign
  • Date: ca. 1491–1473 BCE
  • Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, Tomb of Hatnefer and Ramose (below TT 71), coffin III, MMA excavations, 1935–36
  • Medium: Wood
  • Dimensions: Overall box: h. 5 cm ( 1 15/16 in.); W. (with tabs) 12.2 cm (4 13/16 in.); Greatest diam. 11 cm (4 5/16 in.); Diam. of base 4.8 cm (1 7/8 in.)
    Lid: Th. 0.4 cm (3/16 in.); Diam. 9.6 cm (3 3/4 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1936
  • Object Number: 36.3.11
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

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Marsh-Bowl, Faience, paint
Marsh-Bowl
ca. 1491–1473 BCE
Rectangular wooden cosmetic or amulet box with sliding lid, Wood (poplar?), Alanic
Rectangular wooden cosmetic or amulet box with sliding lid
Alanic
ca. 7th–9th century CE
Artist's Gridded Sketch of Senenmut, Limestone, ink
Artist's Gridded Sketch of Senenmut
ca. 1473–1458 BCE
Mirror, Copper alloy
Mirror
ca. 1491–1473 BCE
Cosmetic box in the shape of a composite capital, Glassy Faience
Cosmetic box in the shape of a composite capital
664–300 BCE

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