Terms and conditions of use
Cosmetic palette
Predynastic Period, Naqada III 3200 BCE-3000 BCE
Medium
greywacke
Measurements
1.8 × 27.1 × 16.2 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Presented by the Committee of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 1899
© Public Domain
Gallery location
18th Century Decorative Arts - Great Hall Costume Corridor
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
This fish-shaped cosmetic palette was buried with its stone pebble, which was used for grinding minerals such as green malachite or black galena. These pigments would have been mixed with water and then applied to the eyes, probably with fingers, as protection against the sun and possibly also as a natural disinfectant.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Diospolis Parva, Egypt
Accession Number
D142-1982
Department
Antiquities
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited