Description

The ivory used for inlay in Ancient Egypt chiefly came from native hippopotamus tusks, though in the earliest times, elephants might still be found in the country and their ivory was prized. 

These small fragments of inlay, decorated with diagonal lines filled with black paste, come from the royal tomb of King Djet of the First Dynasty at Abydos, where they were excavated by Flinders Petrie. The ivory inlays probably decorated a box, though inlay was also used to adorn furniture.