Palette Depicting a Pair of Mud Turtles
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Curationist Object DescriptionMakeup palettes are used to mix and grind materials into the desired pigments. In Ancient Egypt, palettes were made from polished stones. The natural minerals they used included malachite, red ochre, and kohl. Ground pigments were applied as eyeshadow, lipstick, blush, and eyeliner.
In the Naqada periods, many everyday objects often took the form of animals native to the Nile Valley. This palette, dated to Naqada II, depicts a pair of mud turtles. Mud turtles represented both chaos and a potent protective force. If the turtles were mates, the palette would have invoked fecund properties in its user.
In the Naqada periods, many everyday objects often took the form of animals native to the Nile Valley. This palette, dated to Naqada II, depicts a pair of mud turtles. Mud turtles represented both chaos and a potent protective force. If the turtles were mates, the palette would have invoked fecund properties in its user.
Metropolitan Museum of Art Object Description
Palette, mud turtle
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All Works in Curationist’s archives can be reproduced and used freely. How to attribute this Work:
Unknown, Palette Depicting a Pair of Mud Turtles, circa 3650–3500 BCE. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Naqada period makeup palettes often took the form of animals native to the Nile Valley. Public Domain.
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