Scarce Female silver Kohl pot with arabesque design and application stick. Purpose: the black Kohl was used as makeup by women. Stick is used to apply the Kohl and the pot is used to store it. Children, men and women in Oman wear the cosmetic Kohl round the eye, which gives the (already large) eyes more expression.
Local believe is that it improves eyesight however in practice many people LOST eyesight due to eye infections by the practice of passing the application stick around from person to person.
Kohl is paste traditionally made from finely powdered sulphide of antimony mixed with rosewater. However it is also made form wood-ash mixed with vegetable oils and other means. The book by Lane (ref 3) contains detailed information on the use and manufacture of Kohl which is almost identical to that in Oman. Oman Adorned (ref 4) page 131/133 contains a recipe for Kohl. Weight 90 grams. Container is 4,5cm high including the eye. The application stick is 12 cm long.
