Game Board with Separate Drawer, ca. 1539–1295 B.C.E. Wood, 2 1/16 x 3 3/8 x 11 in. (5.3 x 8.5 x 28 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.93E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.37.93E_37.94E_mummychamber.jpg)
Game Board with Separate Drawer, ca. 1539–1295 B.C.E. Wood, 2 1/16 x 3 3/8 x 11 in. (5.3 x 8.5 x 28 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.93E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.37.93E_37.94E.1-.23_NegA_bw.jpg)
Game Board with Separate Drawer, ca. 1539–1295 B.C.E. Wood, 2 1/16 x 3 3/8 x 11 in. (5.3 x 8.5 x 28 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.93E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.37.93E_37.94E_wwgA-2.jpg)
Game Board with Separate Drawer
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: Funerary Gallery 2, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
The game of senet reflects the belief that the deceased encountered demons on the road to the underworld who blocked gateways. The Egyptian word senet means “passing,” a reference to avoiding the demons when passing through the gateways. The game board represents the zones through which the deceased had to travel to reach the place of judgment. A New Kingdom text suggests the game was played between the deceased and an unnamed opponent, the stakes being the deceased’s continued existence. But there is also evidence that senet was popular among the living.
MEDIUM
Wood
DATES
ca. 1539–1295 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 18 (possibly)
PERIOD
New Kingdom
DIMENSIONS
2 1/16 x 3 3/8 x 11 in. (5.3 x 8.5 x 28 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
37.93E
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Rectangular wooden box with squares for the playing of the games on two opposite long sides. One of the "boards" has 30 squares (arranged in three rows of 10 squares): row of 12 squares flanked by two rows of 4 squares. A sliding drawer in one of the short ends is provided for the storage of gaming pieces. (The pieces are 37.94E).
Condition: Defects in wood plugged by new pieces during manufacture. Drawer slightly chipped on two pieces inside.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Funerary Gallery 2, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
CAPTION
Game Board with Separate Drawer, ca. 1539–1295 B.C.E. Wood, 2 1/16 x 3 3/8 x 11 in. (5.3 x 8.5 x 28 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.93E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.37.93E_37.94E_mummychamber.jpg)
IMAGE
group, CUR.37.93E_37.94E_mummychamber.jpg.
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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