Kohl container in the form of a hippopotamus

Object Details

• Description

  Vessel, the upper part modelled in animalistic form; a fish in relief on the under-side.

  Clay: dense.

  Glaze: green-blue.

  Decoration: as above.

  Small faience kohl pot with deep blue-green glaze, made in the shape of a hippopotamus. The top of the vessel is oval; the image of the hippopotamus is formed in low relief on the surface. The oval opening at the tip is thus placed in the middle of the back of the hippopotamus. The tail of the animal takes on the characteristic form common for the goddess Taweret's wig. A narrow border around the bottom edge of the vessel forms a base upon which the hippo stands. The bottom is flat and the form of tilapia fish is carved in low relief upon the surface. The fish is framed by a narrow border extending around the base. Inside the vessel are the remains of a powdery black substance which may be the cosmetic product kohl

• Provenance

  To 1907

  Unidentified owner, Egypt, to 1907 [1]

  From 1907 to 1919

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased in Egypt from an unidentified owner in 1907 [2]

  From 1920

  Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]

  Notes:

  [1] See Original Pottery List, L. 1849, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Previous custodian or owner

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

• Origin

  Egypt

• Credit Line

  Gift of Charles Lang Freer

• Type

  Vessel

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 1000s

• Name

  Freer, Charles Lang

• Place

  Egypt

• Topic

  Water, Art, Fishes, Taweret, Ancient Egyptian Art, Hippopotamus, New Kingdom (ca. 1539 - 1075 BCE)

• Culture

  Egyptians

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)