Cosmetic boxes are not a modern invention. They date back all the way to ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptian toiletry items began in the Predynastic Period with ivory cosmetic articles, such as bone, stone, or even pottery. Ivory combs and kohl spoons were among the first. Kohl is an ancient eye cosmetic, traditionally made by grinding galena (lead sulfide) and other ingredients, to darken the eyes and was used as a mascara type for the eyelashes. The desert sun or Nile floodwaters during inundation produced a need for facial-eye protection, using ‘eyepaint’ or eyeliner, when working in the flooded lands; theoretically it was also used by males. The Kohl spoon was designed in many shapes, the most common being the ankh symbol, ducks, and lotus flowers, all symbolizing life and rejuvenation. This Cosmetic box of the Cupbearer Kemeni dates to the Middle Kingdom (12th Dynasty) during the reign of Amenemhat IV (a. 1814 - 1805 BC). Found in Upper Egypt of Thebes in the Tomb of Reniseneb, this Cedar box with ebony and ivory veneer and silver mounting, shows decoration on the front illustrating Kemeni presenting an ointment to Amenemhat IV. The inlaid inscription around the top of the lid contains the names of the king on the front and reads, from the front right to the back: “A royal offering of (the crocodile god) Sobek, lord of the wetlands, giving a good burial and being led to a state of honor, to the ka (life force) of the secretary of the king’s breakfast in preparing the tables of the Lord of the Two Lands, roomkeeper and cupbearer Kemeni possessor of honor and justified.” In the inscription from the front to the left, Kemeni is called “born by Any.” The box contains a mirror and four stone ointment jars, which were found around the box in the vicinity. #AncientEgypt #Egypt #Egyptian #Egyptology #Cosmetic #Box #Kohl #Makeup #EyeLiner #Mascara #Mirror #Ointment #Tomb #Museum #MET #History #Art #Archaeology #ArtHistory #Artifacts