Ottoman Era Traditional Kohl Bottle

This object is a kohl container (also known as a “sürmedanlık” or “kohl box” during the Ottoman period). Kohl is a natural make-up and care product applied to the eyes; it was used for both aesthetic and protective purposes. In the Ottoman Empire, both men and women used kohl for eye health. This brass kohl container has a lid and a thin kohl stick (shaft) on the lid. To use, the stick would be removed from the lid, dipped in the kohl, and applied to the corners of the eyes. The carved Ottoman tughra motifs and Arabic script on the stick reflect the artistic understanding of the period. Its shine and durability come from the brass alloy. It is intact and includes the stick. It is approximately 10 cm high.