Not currently on display at the V&A

Il Gioco Dell'oca Dilettevole per chi gioca e chi non gioca

Board Game
ca. 1750 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In English the name of this game is 'The Pleasing Game of the Goose'. There are 63 spaces beginning with a dog and ending with a pair of dancers at a feast. The Game of Goose is generally regarded as the first race game and was developed in Italy in the mid-16th century. The moves in this game are given by the throw of two dice and the players gain an advantage by landing on the spaces depicting a goose.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleIl Gioco Dell'oca Dilettevole per chi gioca e chi non gioca (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Etching on paper
Brief description
Engraved board game, Game of the Goose, published in Italy about 1750
Physical description
Design: engraving; spiral with each square showing an emblem or scene; anti-clockwise spiral; design represents a journey
No. of squares: 63
Squares illustrated: all
Square numbering: all
Squares titled: none
Subject of starting square: dog
Subject of ending square: dancers
Dimensions
  • Length: 49.5cm
  • Width: 38.5cm
Object history
Early Italian copy of the game and played to the same rules.
In the lower left corner is a woman in an archway/gate with two children in a window above. In lower right corner is a goose on a nest.

The rules for playing The Game of the Goose apply



CGG-GAMES & PUZZLES, 1991
Historical context
Rewards: forward movement, extra turns, receipt of counters
advantage to the landing on the geese squares
Forfeits: backward movement, missed turns, payment of counters
No. of Players: 6-8
Equipment required: two dice (or teetotum), markers, counters

Rules:
The rules for playing The Game of the Goose apply



Rules placement: in the centre
Production
(sold at) si vendono grana 5 presso a rosso a s biaso n. 107
Summary
In English the name of this game is 'The Pleasing Game of the Goose'. There are 63 spaces beginning with a dog and ending with a pair of dancers at a feast. The Game of Goose is generally regarded as the first race game and was developed in Italy in the mid-16th century. The moves in this game are given by the throw of two dice and the players gain an advantage by landing on the spaces depicting a goose.
Collection
Accession number
E.5044-1960

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Record createdMarch 4, 2000
Record URL
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