AN EGYPTIAN STEATITE KOHL JAR

MIDDLE KINGDOM, DYNASTY XI-XII, 2025-1793 B.C.

Details

AN EGYPTIAN STEATITE KOHL JAR
MIDDLE KINGDOM, DYNASTY XI-XII, 2025-1793 B.C.
Conical in form, on a flat base, with a short cylindrical neck and a wide disk rim, bevelled on the upper surface around the mouth, the interior well hollowed, the rim and base projecting on one side and terminating in a figural handle in the form of a nude female, perhaps a concubine, standing with her legs together and her arms at her sides, wearing a chin-length flaring wig, with almond-shaped slanted eyes, the lids defined, a triangular nose and slightly-smiling lips
2 5/8 in. (6.6 cm.) high

Provenance

Private Collection, Paris, early 1950s.
Mr. & Mrs. Montupey, France, 1962.

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Lot Essay

Kohl vessels with figural adjuncts became a standard luxury product during the Middle Kingdom. For a Dynasty XII jar with a kneeling girl clasping the kohl jar before her see no. 140 in Bourriau, Pharaohs and Mortals, Egyptian Art in the Middle Kingdom. For a limestone concubine figure of similar style to the figural handle see no. 231 in Foissy-Aufrère, Egypte & Provence, Civilisation Survivances et "Cabinetz de Curiositez."

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