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Kohl Tube

New Kingdom, Ramesside
ca. 1300–1080 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 122
As a measure for preventing disease, eye paint was second only to water in ancient Egypt. It was prepared from malachite and galena, ground on slate palettes, mixed with fat, and then applied around the eyes using a small stick, or applicator. Green eye paint, made from malachite, was primarily cosmetic. Galena is black in color, and the paint derived from it helped to reflect the glare of the Egyptian sun. More importantly, its lead content repelled flies and was deadly to the organisms that can cause eye disease and blindness. This small vessel was probably used to hold green and black eyepaint

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Kohl Tube
  • Period: New Kingdom, Ramesside
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 19–20
  • Date: ca. 1300–1080 BCE
  • Geography: From Egypt
  • Medium: Faience
  • Dimensions: H. 7.9 cm (3 1/8 in)
  • Credit Line: Funds from various donors, 1886
  • Object Number: 86.1.84
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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