Ca. 1st millennium BC. A masterfully crafted cast bronze vessel, designed to hold the precious black powder or paste known as kohl. The vessel boasts a spherical lower body that curves gracefully upwards to a slender, elongated neck, culminating in a flat and broad rim. The neck is supported by three delicately curved legs, each one terminating in a tiny, elegant foot. The smooth, polished surface of the bronze vessel is a testament to the precision and meticulousness of the craftsmen, who achieved a flawless finish through their artistry. Adorning the mid-section of the vessel is a decorative register of two beaded parallel bands, adding an intricate and ornamental element to the already stunning piece. This simple but striking design element speaks to the aesthetic sensibility of the ancient cultures who created such pieces as both practical and decorative objects. The purpose of this vessel was to hold kohl, a black powder or paste made from grinding stibnite, which was used to darken the eyelids, eyelashes, and eyebrows. This cosmetic was prized for its ability to enhance beauty, but also revered for its protective properties, believed to ward off evil spirits and offer defense against the harmful rays of the sun.Size: L:73.5mm / W:34.7mm ; 47.35gProvenance: Property of a West London gentleman; previously in a collection formed on the UK/International art market in the 1990s.