Egypt, Predynastic (5000–2950 BCE), Naqada IIa–IIIa (3650–3000 BCE) / c. 3500–3050 BCE
Palette in the Form of a Turtle
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Palette in the Form of a Turtle as tools and equipment (Egypt, Predynastic (5000–2950 BCE), Naqada IIa–IIIa (3650–3000 BCE) · c. 3500–3050 BCE).
This is an ancient makeup palette used to blend and apply cosmetics.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this tools and equipment as graywacke.
The museum's collection notes: Stone palettes were used for grinding eyepaint worn by men and women alike for cosmetic purposes and to protect against sun glare and eye infections. There were two types of eyepaint: green, made from malachite (copper ore), and black, made from galena (lead ore). Small quantities of ore are sometimes found in graves alongside the palettes.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtPalette in the Form of a TurtleOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.