Flask
late 9th century-early 10th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This small rock crystal container is one of group of similar items shaped like a fish. The animal has a fin along its back and two deeply carved bands divide it into head, body and tail. The container has a horizontal hole drilled into the body from one end. This piece may have been used as a pot for a cosmetic such as kohl. Kohl was applied with a tiny rod that would have fitted into the hole.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Rock crystal, carved |
| Brief description | Rock crystal container, perhaps for kohl, in the shape of a fish. Egypt, late ninth or early tenth century.; Fish; Rock crystal Egyptian 9th century |
| Physical description | The carving on this small container, which is in the shape of a fish, is confined to two bands at neck and tail, with a fin on the back. The fish is pierced with a horizontal hole and we perhaps used as a kohl-pot. It is similar to other rock crystal fish in the Kunst Historisches Museum at Vienna, and the Bibliotheque National in Paris. |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Object history | Bought from E.R.D. Maclagan Esq. |
| Summary | This small rock crystal container is one of group of similar items shaped like a fish. The animal has a fin along its back and two deeply carved bands divide it into head, body and tail. The container has a horizontal hole drilled into the body from one end. This piece may have been used as a pot for a cosmetic such as kohl. Kohl was applied with a tiny rod that would have fitted into the hole. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.20-1926 |
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| Record created | February 24, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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