The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of February 1, 2023

Face from a Cosmetic Spoon

1391–1353 BC

Egypt, New Kingdom, Dynasty 18 (1540-1296 BC), reign of Amenhotep III

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.

Provenance
Purchased from James Ede, Charles Ede, Ltd, London
Citations
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
Exhibition history

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).

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