This is a Continental version of the Game of Human Life showing the ages of man. Its layout, however, is completely different from the earlier English and French editions. It was designed for the German and French market and uses only those two languages. The starting point is a clock face numbered 1 and entitled Temporellite or Zeirlichkeit and the finishing point is number 33, Eternity. Some of the squares require the receiving or paying of a token and some send the player forwards or backwards. The game would be played with dice and use a kitty. The player going out on the number 33 would win the kitty.
Physical description
Design: engraving, hand coloured mounted on card panels which fold out; with slipcase having a label showing 3 maidens dancing and title in German and French
No. of squares: 33
Squares illustrated: some
Square numbering: all
Squares titled: all
Subject of starting square: clock dial
Subject of ending square: circled snake eating its tail
Place of Origin
Germany (published)
Date
ca. 1825 (published)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Hand coloured paper on card
Dimensions
Width: 15.5 in, Height: 18.15 in
Object history note
This is the Game of Human Life showing the ages of man, however, the layout is completely different from the earlier English and French games.
It was designed for the German and French market, English was not included.
Historical context note
Rewards: forward movement, receiving of counters
Forfeits: backward movement, payment of counters
No. of Players: any
Equipment required: markers, counters and dice/teetotum
Rules:
The playing surface combines circles and squares, all numbered and some illustrated. The names and directions are in German and French and the game is played on the principles of forfeits and rewards. The starting point is a clock face numbered 1 and entitled TEMPORELLITE (ZEIRLICHKEIT); 2-Moments, 3-Secondes, 4-Minutes, 5-Heures, 6-Tours, 7-Semaines, 8-Mois, 9-Années, 10-Dixaines, 11-Siecles, 12-Millier dannées, 13-Nourrisson, 14-Garcon, 15-Fille, 16-Jeunehomme, 17-Vierge, 18-L'Homme, 19-Femme, 20-Viellard, 21-Matronne, 22-Matin, 23-Midi, 24-Soir, 25-Minuit, 26-Religion, 27-Lini, 28-Condition, 29-Vertu, 30-Vice, 31-Mort, 32-Tombeau, 33-Eternite (end).
Numbers 13 to 32 have illustrations; numbers 2 to 12 are squares across the top of the board; numbers 13 to 21 are steps leading down from right to left; numbers 22 to 32 are squares at the bottom of the board. In the area beneath the `steps' are unnumbered squares painted pale pink each with a centre of black lines overpainted pale blue. The final number, 33, is a circle surround ed by a snake eating its tail.
Some of the squares require the receiving or paying of a token; and some of the squares send the playing forwards or backwards. The game would be played with dice, use a kitty and the player going out with the number 33 would receive the kitty.
Rules placement: directions printed on playing surface
Descriptive line
Hand painted game, Le Grande Terme, published in Germany about 1825
Categories
Games
Collection code
MoC
