VINTAGE BRASS FISH KAJAL KOHL ASWAD CONTAINER UberKuchi

Auction for One (1) VINTAGE BRASS FISH KOHL CONTAINER. You will receive a brass Kohl container of the design shown in the photo. Metal color is brassy golden tone. Medium to heavy weight. Stick is threaded in the bottle tightly so fish can be worn on a chain or used as a pendant. Traditionally, the fish is known as a woman's symbol. One side of the top spells the name of the craftsman and the other side Pakistan, written in Urdu script. SIZE: Brass kohl container measures approx 3.5 inches long by 1.25 inches wide. Stick is 3 inches long. COMPOSITION: Brass (commercial bronze), an alloy of copper and zinc. CONDITION: Never been used condition. Hand made in Pakistan, circa late 20th century. Please clean brass container and stick with hot water, soap and alcohol and let dry before using.

NOTE on KOHL: Do not use Kohl (Kajal) from the Middle East or Pakistan since most of it contains high levels of lead. Many women in the Middle East die of liver problems from unsafe cosmetics. Use a safe mineral powder in a dark hue instead.

The oligodynamic effect (Greek oligos = few, dynamis = force) was discovered in 1893 by the Swiss Karl Wilhelm von Nägeli as a toxic effect of metal-ions on living cells, algae, molds, spores, fungus, virus, prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, even in relatively low concentrations. This antimicrobial effect is shown by ions of: mercury, silver, copper, iron, lead, zinc, bismuth, gold, aluminum, and other metals.

Certain metals, e.g. brass and copper are known to be far more poisonous to bacteria than others (such as stainless steel and aluminum), which is why they are used in mineral sanitizers for swimming pools and spas.

Many infections can spread by doorknobs. Brass doorknobs automatically disinfect themselves in about eight hours, while stainless steel and aluminum knobs never do. Brass doorknobs therefore tend to be more sanitary than stainless or aluminum doorknobs. The effect is important in hospitals, and useful in any building.[1]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    * Original article by Nägeli: v. Nägeli K.W. 1893. Über oligodynamische Erscheinungen in lebenden Zellen. Neue Denkschr. Allgemein. Schweiz. Gesellsch. Ges. Naturweiss. Bd XXXIII Abt 1.

   1. Doorknobs: A Source of Nosocomial Infection?
   2. http://www.saltlakemetals.com/Silver_Antibacterial.htm

All of our Afghani tribal jewelry and Central Asian textiles are authentic. Our items have endured the ravages of travel, time, and especially war. Many of these pieces are not in perfect condition due to age and wear. Stones may be missing or glass chipped & threads worn on garments. We note obvious flaws in our listings.

Most tribal jewelry is costume jewelry composed of various alloys. Some alloys are better than others. Silver content ranges from 30% to 70% silver or less. Base metal alloys may contain quantities of copper, nickel, brass, silver, or other metals. Most of our items are hand made by Afghani refugees living and working in harsh camps on the border. Thank you for helping them and enjoy!

You pay, we ship. Buyer pays specified shipping costs. We combine shipping. If you don't pay within 7 days after auction ends or contact us with a payment commitment we relist item(s) and report non-paying bidders to Ebay. Please see the Store Policies section of our Ebay store or the About Me page for additional rants and raves.