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Set of Thirteen Gaming Pieces

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
The game called senet, or “passing,” was played for over three thousand years in Egypt. In it, two players rolled stick-like dice to advance their gaming pieces, which in this board were otherwise stored in a sliding drawer. The movement of pieces across the board symbolized the soul’s journey through the underworld, and the game was often included in the tomb.
MEDIUM Faience
  • Place Made: Thebes, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1390–1353 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY Dynasty 18
    PERIOD New Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS Greatest dimensions for reel-shaped pieces: 1/2 x Diam. 13/16 in. (1.3 x 2 cm) Greatest dimensions for cone-shaped pieces: 1 x Diam. 11/16 in. (2.6 x 1.7 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 49.57.1-.13
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Set of thirteen blue faience gaming pieces for gaming board 49.56. Eight reel-shaped undecorated pieces of varying sizes. Five semi-conical shaped undecorated pieces. Condition: Only two of the cone-shaped pieces intact. Balanced chipped. Only one reel-shaped piece intact, others chipped.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Egyptian Orientation Gallery, 3rd Floor
    CAPTION Set of Thirteen Gaming Pieces, ca. 1390–1353 B.C.E. Faience, Greatest dimensions for reel-shaped pieces: 1/2 x Diam. 13/16 in. (1.3 x 2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 49.57.1-.13. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 49.56a-b_49.57.1-.13_SL1.jpg)
    IMAGE 49.56a-b_49.57.1-.13_SL1.jpg.
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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