The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 19, 2025

Face from a Cosmetic Spoon

1391–1353 BCE

Egypt, New Kingdom

(1540–1069 BCE), Dynasty 18, reign of Amenhotep III (1390–1352 BCE)
ivory
Overall: 4 x 2.3 cm (1 9/16 x 7/8 in.)
Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund 1988.7
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 delicately carved human face would have decorated an elaborate ivory cosmetic spoon.
  • Purchased from James Ede, Charles Ede, Ltd, London
  • “The Year in Review for 1988.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 76, no. 2 (February 1989): 30–75. Mentioned: p. 68, no. 12 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. 303; Mentioned: p. 303
  • CMA, 4 March-14 May 1989, The Year in Review for 1988, cat.: CMA Bulletin 76, no. 2 (February 1989), no. 12
    The Year in Review for 1988. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 1-May 14, 1989).
  • {{cite web|title=Face from a Cosmetic Spoon|url=false|author=|year=1391–1353 BCE|access-date=19 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1988.7