Creative Commons License
"Senet" Game Piece
1550-712 BCE (New Kingdom-Third Intermediate Period)
Egyptian faience
(Ancient Egypt and Nubia )
(Ancient Egypt and Nubia )
Egyptians enjoyed playing board games, especially "senet," or "passing." During the 18th dynasty, the game acquired religious significance, which transformed it into a simulation of the soul's journey through the underworld to achieve immortality. Throw sticks, much like dice, determined a player's moves, and winning required both skill and luck. The "senet" game board of 30 squares required 14 game pieces, like this one.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Private collection; Walters Art Museum, 1997, by gift.
Measurements
15/16 x 1/2 x 1/2 in. (2.33 x 1.3 x 1.3 cm) (h. x d. x diam.)
Credit Line
Anonymous gift, 1997
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
1997.13.2