The Cosmetic Jar with Recumbent Lion, King Tutankhamun collection.
$907.50
History of the Piece: The Cosmetic Jar is styled in the characteristic fashion of the Amarna period , and was one of many jars and cosmetic vessels discovered within the…
- Description
Description
History of the Piece:
The Cosmetic Jar is styled in the characteristic fashion of the Amarna period , and was one of many jars and cosmetic vessels discovered within the tomb of King Tutankhamun.
The Cosmetic Jar with Recumbent Lion. Image Copyright – Sandro Vannini.The side of the Cosmetic Jar is adorned with images of lions and dogs attacking hoofed desert animals (ungulates). The inclusion of savannah plants around the scene suggests a desert environment, while the lower edge features a band of niches, replicating the commonly depicted palace façades in ancient Egyptian art. The upper edge, above the animal scene, displays a series of spear-like shapes representing lotus petals, behind which are lines of red, white, and black.
The jar’s lid is the most captivating feature, featuring a recumbent lion laying along the lid with its tongue hanging out. Carved from the same block of calcite as the lid, the jar’s opening was accessed through a swivel mechanism that was kept shut by a piece of string wrapped around knobs on the sides. The lion is decorated with blue paint on its eyes, ears, nose, claws, eyebrows, and the tip of its tail,
On either side of the jar, at the top, are depictions of the god Bes – the protector of women and the household. He is portrayed as a menacing-looking dwarf, also with his tongue hanging out in a similar fashion to the lion.
At the base of the Cosmetic Jar are four heads – the enemies of Egypt. Their placement at the bottom of the jar has symbolic significance, suggesting they are being crushed or represent the lowest of the low. The black stone heads are Nubian, while the other two are red-stoned Asiatics.
The lion on the jar is directly linked to King Tutankhamun through an inscription on its shoulder, and it represents the power and virility of the young king. It also symbolizes Tutankhamun’s ability to maintain order in a chaotic world, with the calm and dignified lion resting atop the fighting animals and enemies of Egypt. The separation of levels in this jar indicates that the chaos of the disorderly world is kept away from the orderly conduct of King Tut’s Egypt.
Frequent Asked Questions
Our artisans work with authentic materials — basalt, limestone, granite, alabaster, porcelain, and cast bronze — sourced locally in Egypt. Every piece is a handcrafted replica, not an original antiquity. Each product page lists the specific material, weight, and approximate dimensions, and small variations in color, texture, and finish are natural to handmade work.
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Contact us with clear photos within 7 days of delivery and we'll arrange a replacement or a full refund. Every piece is packed in a custom protective crate to minimize the risk of damage in transit — but if something does go wrong, we'll make it right.
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