Search Results: Cosmetics

The wearing of cosmetics and perfumes by both men and women goes back a very long way indeed as the ancients were just as keen as anyone to improve their appearance as quickly and as easily as possible using all manner of powders, creams...

For the ancient Egyptians life was a celebration, and so, just as one would want to look one's best at any party, personal hygiene was an important cultural value. The Egyptians bathed daily, shaved their heads to prevent lice or other problems...

Cosmetics jar, c. 1479-1425 BCE, Found in Thebes, Egypt. Pharaoh exhibit - Cleveland Museum of Art

This elaborate cosmetics box, suspended on three chains, holds five small canisters for perfumes and unguents. The outside is decorated with images of eight of the nine classical Muses. A 9th figure on the top of the casket may be the final...

A fresco detail from a banquet scene (known as 'La Parisienne') from Knossos, 1400-1350 BCE. The figure, in a robe and with a sacral knot at her neck, is perhaps a priestess. (Archaeological Museum, Heraklion)

Roman glass perfume bottle. 1st-2nd century CE. Provenance unknown. (Archaeological Museum of Pavia, Italy).

Mummy portrait of a woman wearing a gold necklace, a Medusa pendant, and golden ear-pendants with pearls, Roman Egypt, 161-192 CE. Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Austria.

This blue faience box is beautifully crafted in the shape of a Late Period column capital and has been dated to sometime between 664-300 BCE. It once held cosmetic ointments and such cosmetic boxes are well attested to in ancient Egypt. (Metropolitan...

A red-figure Attic pyxis, 460-450 BCE. Pyxides were lidded boxes used for storing small items such as jewellery. This example depicts the birth of Aphrodite with Eros on the left. (Metropolitan -museum of Art, New York).

A Corinthian alabastron vase depicting two lions and an owl, 595-500 BCE. These vessels were used for storing perfumes and fine oils. (Getty Villa, Malibu)