Ivory Lions Board Game Pieces of Mehen

These six board game pieces were associated with a game called ‘Mehen’ coil, because it was played on a circular limestone board that took the form of a coiled snake, its skin divided into squares. Three playing pieces represent recumbent lions, and three recumbent lionesses. 

From Qift ‘Coptos’. Early Dynastic Period, 1st Dynasty, ca. 3100-2890 BC. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 44918 A-F