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Cosmetic Box from the tomb of Sennedjem

New Kingdom, Ramesside
ca. 1290–1224 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 126
The lid of this box, which is attached at the back with horizontal pivots, opens to reveal four compartments for cosmetics. The box could be secured by winding a piece of twine around the two knobs at the front. Its elaborate decoration was intended to imitate more expensive boxes inlaid with ebony, ivory, and perhaps cedar or mahogany.

The box is from the tomb of Sennedjem, who was an artist living in the time of Ramesses II. Other objects in the collection that were discovered in the same tomb can be viewed here.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Cosmetic Box from the tomb of Sennedjem
  • Period: New Kingdom, Ramesside
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 19
  • Reign: reign of Ramesses II
  • Date: ca. 1290–1224 BCE
  • Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Deir el-Medina, Tomb of Sennedjem (TT 1), Egyptian Antiquities Service/Maspero excavations, 1885–86
  • Medium: Gessoed and painted wood
  • Dimensions: H. 16 cm (6 5/16 in); w. 33 cm (13 in); d. 33 cm (13 in)
  • Credit Line: Funds from various donors, 1886
  • Object Number: 86.1.8
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Jar from the tomb of Sennedjem, Painted red pottery
Jar from the tomb of Sennedjem
ca. 1290–1224 BCE
Box, cosmetic, Wood
Box, cosmetic
ca. 1981–1550 B.C.
Outer Coffin of the Chantress of Amun-Re Henettawy, Wood, gesso, paint, varnish
Outer Coffin of the Chantress of Amun-Re Henettawy
ca. 1000–945 BCE
Mummy Mask of Khonsu, Painted wood and cartonnage
Mummy Mask of Khonsu
ca. 1290–1224 BCE
Cosmetic Box of the Royal Butler Kemeni, Cedar, with ebony and ivory veneer and silver mounts
Cosmetic Box of the Royal Butler Kemeni
ca. 1805 B.C.

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