A Pair of Egyptian Faience Gaming Pieces, Amarna Period, ca. 1352 - 1336 BCE

These rare dark-blue faience gaming pieces are immediately identifiable as from the later part of Egypt's 18th Dynasty, both in color and in fabric. Each is formed in the classic spool shape associated with the ancient Egyptian board game Senet, described as an early precursor to backgammon in its use of chance and strategy.  

The deep cobalt-blue faience seen here is particularly associated with the later New Kingdom and is prized for its visual intensity and durability. The compact scale and balanced proportions of the pieces suggest they formed part of a matched set rather than casual replacements. 

Background: Playing senet and wagering on its outcome was a favorite leisure time activity of the ancient Egyptians. The great popularity of this game can be measured by the enormous quantity of evidence for it that has survived from all period of Egyptian history. By the Amarna Period, Senet had evolved beyond a leisure activity into a game laden with religious and funerary meaning. Gameplay came to represent the soul’s passage through the afterlife and the struggle to achieve eternal rebirth, a concept reflected in tomb paintings, funerary texts, and board sets placed with the deceased.

Medium: Faience

Dimensions: Height: 1.90 cm (0.75 inches)

Condition: Intact and in excellent condition overall

Provenance: Private NYC collection, ex. CT collection, ex. John N. Winnie, Jr. collection, Georgia, 1980’s-90’s.

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