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Ointment Jar

New Kingdom
ca. 1550–1458 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 114
The shape of this tall, flaring jar first appeared during the Pyramid Age, more than 1000 years before this example was made. Originally, it probably had a round, flat lid and was used to store a cosmetic oil or ointment for moisturizing the skin. The jar was excavated by the Museum's Egyptian Expedition in 1916. It had been placed near the head of a coffin along with a number of other objects that came to the Museum when the finds were divided with the Egyptian Antiquities Service. These include two other alabaster jars (16.10.421, 16.10.424), another smaller ointment jar of serpentine (16.10.422), two pottery vessels (16.10.427–.428), a small ivory cosmetic box (16.10.425), and three ivory combs (16.10.428–.430).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Ointment Jar
  • Period: New Kingdom
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 18, early
  • Date: ca. 1550–1458 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Asasif, Courtyard CC 41, Pit 3, Burial B 4, Between head of coffin and wall, MMA excavations, 1915–16
  • Medium: Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
  • Dimensions: H. 13.6 cm (5 3/8 in.); Diam. 11.6 cm (4 9/16 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1916
  • Object Number: 16.10.423
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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Handle of a Cosmetic Spoon in the Form of a Leopard, Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)
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1327–1295 BC
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ca. 1479–1458 B.C.

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