Cleveland Museum of Art

Cosmetic Jar in the Form of the God Bes

Date

664–525 BCE

Medium

Egyptian blue

Culture

Egypt, Late period (715–332 BCE), Dynasty 26

Department

Egyptian and Ancient Near Eastern Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Both ancient Egyptian men and women loved cosmetics. Unguents, oils, and perfumes made from aromatic plant resins and gums were obtained at great cost from distant lands. The objects identified with cosmetics were given lavish treatment. The god Bes, patron god of cosmetics, is the subject of this colorful jar. Bes was the Egyptian god of many things, including cosmetics, war, and childbirth.

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