329 - Alabaster ointment jar with original bronze kohl applicator. Canaanite culture, Middle Bronze Age (2000–1750 BC), biblical Patriarchal period.

Alabaster ointment jar with original bronze kohl applicator. Canaanite culture, Middle Bronze Age (2000–1750 BC), biblical Patriarchal period. Carved and polished alabaster container with a bronze applicator. Dimensions: 9.5 cm high; 14 cm high with applicator; 3.5 cm wide. Height including base: 16 cm. This exceptional vanity set is part of the artisan tradition of ancient Canaan during the Middle Bronze Age, a period of great cultural and commercial development in the Near East, traditionally associated with the time of the biblical patriarchs. The piece consists of an elegant alabaster container designed to hold kohl—a cosmetic preparation used since antiquity to darken and line the eyes—accompanied by its bronze applicator. The container stands out for the delicacy of its craftsmanship and the natural beauty of the alabaster, whose polished surface displays subtle veining and chromatic variations that enhance its ornamental character. Its compact and stylized form reflects the need for storing and applying small quantities of cosmetics, substances especially valued in the societies of ancient Egypt, Canaan, and Mesopotamia. The bronze applicator, preserved alongside the vessel, displays an attractive patina of oxidation that has developed over time, making it an element of particular interest as it helps us understand the set’s original function. During the second millennium BC, the use of cosmetics was part of routine personal care and beautification practices, although it could also be linked to beliefs about protecting the eyes from sunlight, dust, and certain ailments. Kohl was made by combining different mineral substances, which were carefully applied around the eyelids using small instruments made of wood, bone, or metal. Alabaster vessels were highly valued for the quality and appearance of this material, which was frequently used in the manufacture of toiletries, ointment jars, and small containers for perfumes and oils. The widespread availability of ...