This palette apparently represents a Nile boat with upcurved prow and stern and a small cabin amidship. Boats played an important role in Egyptian life, both as the primary means of transportation and as important religious symbols and cosmetic palettes in boat-form are rare.

One of the most common grave good of the Predynastic Period is the slate palette in various forms. These objects seem to have been designed for grinding cosmetic pigments, but they had a ceremonial significance in addition to a functional one.

During their most popular period, the cosmetic palettes were mostly in the form of animals. The animals depicted, often fish or birds, undoubtedly had a symbolic meaning and were intended to bestow people either their strength or other special abilities.