Cosmetic Vase with Names of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye

This cosmetic vase contains the names of King Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye. It is possible that it originally contained some kind of expensive cosmetic, possibly kohl, oil, or perfume.

The vessel’s shape imitates a bag or a sack. It was a popular shape during the 18th Dynasty in pottery, stone, painted wood (to imitate stone), as well as faience.

The bottom of the vessel is flat allowing it to stand freely on a flat surface. The flat top of the vessel could have originally been closed by a similarly shaped flat lid, as is seen in many examples dating to the 18th Dynasty.

Related: Cosmetic Shell of King Sekhemkhet

The vase reads, center line, then left, then right, top to bottom: center: The good god, Nebmaatre, given life; left: the son of Re, Amenhotep, Ruler of (Wast-Uast)(Thebes), eternally; right: the king’s great wife, Tiye, [last word illegible due to angle]-(S-n-b–t: “Healthy-Wellness-(feminine-ti-(t=’libations’, for senb-t))).

Royalty of the 18th Dynasty commissioned luxury goods in glazed faience and glass. Vessels bearing royal names could have been reserved for royal use or given as gifts to worthy subjects or visitors to the court.

The faience most probably incorporates cobalt mixed with copper for the rich, dark-blue color. Before the 18th Dynasty, blue was produced with copper, however, during the 18th Dynasty cobalt mixed with copper was introduced. Cobalt is not attributable to any region or site from the reign of Amenhotep III.

New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reign of Amenhptep III, ca. 1391-1353 BC. Dimensions: Height: 8.40 cm, width: 6.60 cm. Egyptian faience with dark blue glaze. Now in the Louvre. E 4877