Fish cosmetic palette

The oldest cosmetic palettes from the Badarian, or Naqada I period are less adorned than later versions; also some gradation of ornateness should be considered for graves and tombs of less high-status individuals being interred, as these were common forms of grave goods during the Naqada periods.

[1] A 19 cm (7 in) long Bulti-fish type palette was found at Adaima, Egypt, Tomb S218.

It is probably Naqada I, has a simple, truncated height dorsal fin, but is of the extended body length, as in the Bulti fish.

Two forward arced lines form gill slits, and a yellowish eye is made with inlay.

It is a Bulti-fish type, and notable for a large cosmetic mixing circle adorning the center of the fish (photo: [2]).