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Shell Make-up Container
The ancient Mesopotamians were very interested in matters of personal adornment. In addition to clothing and jewelry, which were important indicators of status, aromatic substances were used to make perfume, and various pigments were worn as make-up. This small white shell contains a dried green substance that may have been used as eyeshadow.
Name: Shell Container
Material: Shell
Size:
Height: 1.5 cm (0.6 in)
Width: 3.3 cm (1.3 in)
Depth: 4 cm (1.6 in)
Date: 2350-2100 BCE
Place of Origin: Khafajah, Iraq
Location: Oriental Institute Museum, Chicago, Illinois
Source and Registration#: Oriental Institute Museum A17715 Link to resource
(accessed May 7. 2010).
Jennie Myers
Research Associate, University of Chicago
