Cosmetic Container in Form of Trussed Duck
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
Cosmetic Containers
Like us, the ancient Egyptians used cosmetics, and often for the same purposes.
Archaeologists use the term “cosmetic container” to describe a variety of Egyptian boxes that once held scented, oil-based ointments. The salves in these boxes were used by women and men to heighten sexual allure and to camouflage body odor. Orange or yellow stains seen on ancient representations of clothing and on actual surviving linen garments show how liberally such ointments were applied.
Caption
Cosmetic Container in Form of Trussed Duck, ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.. Wood, paste, pigment, 1 3/4 × 2 1/4 × 6 3/4 in. (4.4 × 5.7 × 17.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.613E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.37.613E_erg456.jpg)
Title
Cosmetic Container in Form of Trussed Duck
Date
ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E.
Dynasty
Dynasty 18
Period
New Kingdom
Geography
Reportedly from: Saqqara, Egypt
Medium
Wood, paste, pigment
Classification
Dimensions
1 3/4 × 2 1/4 × 6 3/4 in. (4.4 × 5.7 × 17.1 cm)
Credit Line
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Accession Number
37.613E
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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Frequent Art Questions
What is this for?
That is a box! It would hold cosmetics used by women and men. It is in the shape of a duck that is ready to be cooked!
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