Comb Surmounted by Four Knobs
1 of 4
Caption
Comb Surmounted by Four Knobs, ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.. Wood, 1 11/16 x 3/8 x 3 1/4 in. (4.3 x 0.9 x 8.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.653E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.653E_PS4.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Gallery
Not on view
Title
Comb Surmounted by Four Knobs
Date
ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.
Dynasty
Dynasty 18
Period
New Kingdom
Geography
Place made: Egypt
Medium
Wood
Classification
Dimensions
1 11/16 x 3/8 x 3 1/4 in. (4.3 x 0.9 x 8.2 cm)
Credit Line
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Accession Number
37.653E
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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Frequent Art Questions
I read in the label that the ancient Egyptians believed that cosmetics, combs, jewelry were included for sexual allure since rebirth require conception. But we use cosmetics, combs and jewelry on deceased people now, yet it’s not for sex. How do we know that sexual allure is the reason for the jewelry and cosmetics?
Great question! It has to do with the styling and what we know about the ancient Egyptians conceptions of the afterlife.Today, much of the use of cosmetics on the dead is, as I'm sure you know, meant to make them look more lifelike and like themselves, to provide a sense of comfort to loved ones.I don't believe much make-up was actually applied to the physical body in ancient Egypt, but instead that they would be entombed with the kind of cosmetics, perfumes, jewelry, and wigs that one might wear to a party.Oh, I see. The cosmetics were included within the tomb, sort of like, “You’re gonna need these where you’re going.”Exactly! You can see in the Stela of Thenet, for example, Thenet, on the right, wears a translucent dress and an object on her head known as a fragrant cone which would melt into her hair as perfume.Interesting!
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