Palette in the Form of a Turtle

c. 3500–3050 BCE
Overall: 7.8 cm (3 1/16 in.)
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Location: 107 Egyptian

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Did You Know?

This is an ancient makeup palette used to blend and apply cosmetics.

Description

Stone palettes were used for grinding eyepaint worn by men and women alike for cosmetic purposes and to protect against sun glare and eye infections. There were two types of eyepaint: green, made from malachite (copper ore), and black, made from galena (lead ore). Small quantities of ore are sometimes found in graves alongside the palettes.
Palette in the Form of a Turtle

Palette in the Form of a Turtle

c. 3500–3050 BCE

Egypt, Predynastic (5000–2950 BCE), Naqada IIa–IIIa (3650–3000 BCE)

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