HVWO 093b

A kohl-pot in the shape of a more modern (slender) gun cartridge
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Kohl-Pot

A common type of silver kohl-pot.

Omani men are not supposed to wear jewellery, however they are allowed to wear weapons, hence weapons were adorned to become a form of jewellery or jewellery took the shape of weapons.

Both men and women in Oman wear the cosmetic Kohl round the eye, Which gives the 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.

Antique Omani silver kohlpot

Arab names: Makhalah / Makalil

Period: 1850-1950

Origin: Northern Oman

References:

  1. Oman Adorned by Pauline Shelton  Robert Richmond Miranda Morris/ Apex London 1997 p 193
  2. Carter Tribes in Oman p 24 and 168
  3. Disappearing treasures of Oman 1998 by Avelyn Foster p 97 fig 91
  4. Silver the traditional Art of Oman 2000 (new edition) Ruth Hawley p 52
  5. Traditional silver jewelry and handicrafts from Oman 2009 by Jean Greffioz p 137
  6. Arab & Islamic Silver by Saad Al-Jadir 1981  Stacey International p 32
  7. Ethnic Jewellery from Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands 2002 Amsterdam Pepin Press p 55
  8. Catalog of the Oman exhibition in the Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam 2009 page 153
  9. British Museum has a similar item reg. 2009,6023.199 Length: 7.5 centimetres (kohl container) Length: 38.5 centimetres (stick with chains) Weight: 87 grammes. Cartridge-shaped silver kohl container (makhal or makhalah) for men, with chains and an applicator stick (mirwad or marwad). Stamped and chased floral decoration.