Antique Persian Kohl Burner

This small Persian kohl burner would once have held powdered kohl — a traditional eye cosmetic made from ground minerals like galena, used for both adornment and eye protection.
 
Heated in the shallow dish at the top, the powder could then be applied with a stick to darken the eyelids and lashes. Made of brass, it stands on four legs with knob-like details around the body and a flared neck, giving it a character somewhere between tool and ornament. Dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, it carries a warm aged patina from long handling.
 
A compact piece of daily ritual, now an intriguing object in its own right.
 
Condition: Excellent
Size: W 7.5cm x H 12cm8