Kohl Tube Held by a Dwarf
Late Middle Kingdom–Second Intermediate Period
Not on view
This small object was used as receptacle for kohl, an eye makeup worn by both men and women throughout Egyptian history. It was stored in a variety of containers, including narrow tubes. Here a standing nude dwarf with his head turned to look over his right shoulder grasps a kohl-tube. In ancient Egypt individuals with dwarfism were thought to have special powers, and consequently their protective images were included on a different types of objects. Figurines depicting dwarves were particularly popular in the Middle Kingdom. In later periods they were replaced by the Bes image, a composite deity with dwarf-like proportions, who offered particular aide to women and children.
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