Egyptian Hand-Painted Papyrus (Imported): Queen Nefertari Playing Senet Signed

Description

This scene is based on one of the wall paintings in Nefertari’s tomb, located in the Valley of the Queens near Thebes. The Queen is playing a game of senet with an invisible opponent: fate. Senet, the oldest known board game, is similar to chess. In Egyptian mythology, the dead must overcome several tests, such as winning a game of senet, in order to pass through to the afterlife. Nefertari is wearing a pleated gown, bracelets, and a broad collar. She is wearing the vulture headdress, which is associated with the Goddess Nekhbet.