The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 23, 2025

Cosmetic Vessel (Beaker)

c. 1859–1814 BCE
(2040–1648 BCE), Dynasty 12, reign of Amenemhat III (1860–1814 BCE)
obsidian and gold
Diameter: 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.); Overall: 4.9 cm (1 15/16 in.); Diameter of base: 2.6 cm (1 in.)
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund 1985.107
Location: 107 Egyptian

Description

Both ancient Egyptian men and women loved cosmetics. Unguents, oils, and perfumes made from aromatic plant resins and gums were obtained at great cost from distant lands. The objects identified with cosmetics were given lavish treatment. This luxurious obsidian and gold beaker hints at the precious contents it once held.
  • Purchased from Peter Scharrer, New York
  • Kozloff, Arielle P. “Egyptian Stone Vessels in Cleveland.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 73, no. 8 (October 1986): 327–339. Mentioned and reproduced: p. 331-332, figs. 13-14 www.jstor.org
    Berman, Lawrence M., and Kenneth J. Bohač. Catalogue of Egyptian Art: The Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1999 Reproduced: p. 161, color p. 50; Mentioned: p. 161
  • Senusret III. Palais des Beaux Arts de Lille, Lille, France (organizer) (October 9, 2014-January 26, 2015).
    Palais des Beaux Arts de Lille, France (10/9/2014 - 11/26/2014): "Senusret III"
    CMA, 12 February-6 April 1986, The Year in Review for 1985, cat.: CMA Bulletin 73, no. 2 (February 1986), no. 1
  • {{cite web|title=Cosmetic Vessel (Beaker)|url=false|author=|year=c. 1859–1814 BCE|access-date=23 April 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1985.107