Egyptian. Hair Curler in the Form of a Woman, ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E. Bronze, 7/8 x 2 5/16 in. (2.2 x 5.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.654E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.37.654E_erg456.jpg)
Egyptian. Hair Curler in the Form of a Woman, ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E. Bronze, 7/8 x 2 5/16 in. (2.2 x 5.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.654E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.37.654E_print_negA_bw.jpg)
Egyptian. Hair Curler in the Form of a Woman, ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E. Bronze, 7/8 x 2 5/16 in. (2.2 x 5.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.654E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.37.654E_print_negB_bw.jpg)
Egyptian. Hair Curler in the Form of a Woman, ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E. Bronze, 7/8 x 2 5/16 in. (2.2 x 5.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.654E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.37.654E_print_neg_37.602E_grpA_bw.jpg)
Egyptian. Hair Curler in the Form of a Woman, ca. 1539–1292 B.C.E. Bronze, 7/8 x 2 5/16 in. (2.2 x 5.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.654E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.37.654E_print_neg_grpA_bw.jpg)
Hair Curler in the Form of a Woman
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
The ancient Egyptians took great care in grooming their hair as well as their wigs.
Egyptian men and women shaved their body hair and cut the hair on their heads very short or shaved it completely as a precaution against lice. On ceremonial occasions such as festivals or banquets, men and women wore wigs fashioned from human hair that had been pleated or twirled into locks using small curlers. A cream containing beeswax was rubbed onto the wigs so they would hold their form. Facial and pubic hair was removed with tweezers and razors.
