Game Piece (?)

Predynastic Period–Old Kingdom
ca. 3850–2300 B.C.
Not on view
This football-shaped object may have been used as a game piece for mehen, an ancient Egyptian game that was played from prehistoric times until the end of the Old Kingdom. A more common game pieces for this game were marble made of different colors of stone to differentiate the pieces of each player.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Game Piece (?)
  • Period: Predynastic Period–Old Kingdom
  • Date: ca. 3850–2300 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt
  • Medium: Breccia
  • Dimensions: L. 1.7 cm (11/16 in.); diam. 1.2 cm (1/2 in.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1910
  • Object Number: 10.176.99a
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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