La Vie Humaine un Nouveau Jeu
Board Game
1790-1800 (published)
1790-1800 (published)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This game is very similar to the Game of Human Life, an English board game. It has the same number of playing spaces, 84, and the illustrations are reverse images of the English version. The main title and the individual ones are in four languages: French, German, English and Polish. The aim is to reach immortality, and the end space of the game is the Immortal Man. It shows a memorial monument with an urn on the shoulders of women who stand on a column and steps, accompanied by four figures. On the memorial tablet are the words ‘MLEOPOLD/HERvBRAUNS/GEB1752GEST85’, which refer to Leopold of Brunswick, who drowned in 1785 while attempting to save people in a flood. He would have featured here as a model of selflessness, which was considered one of the qualities needed to attain eternal life.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | La Vie Humaine un Nouveau Jeu (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Sewn silk |
| Brief description | Printed silk moral race game, La Vie Humaine un Nouveau Jeu, published in germany by Simon Schropp & Co in the 1790s |
| Physical description | Design: silk printed with the game; edged with green silk turned and sewn by hand along the two short sides. No. of squares: 84 Squares illustrated: 84 Square numbering: 1 to 84 Squares titled: all Subject of starting square: The Infant Subject of ending square: memorial monument with an urn on the shoulders of women who stand on a column and steps which are surrounded by four figures. On the column is a tablet showing the portrait bust of a man above the words ML LEOPOLD/HERvBRAUNS/GEB1752GEST85 (probably Leopold, Son/Lord/Prince? of Brunswick, born 1752 died 1785). |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Miss Yvonne Dawson Jones and Miss M. Lalage Dawson Jones |
| Object history | see also E.156-1933, E.217-1944 and Circ. 235-1964 84 numbered squares arranged in an anti-clockwise spiral. Each square has an illustration and title. The main title and the individual ones are in four languages, French, German, English and Polish. The illustrations are very similar to those in the Game of Human life but they are reverse images Only the final square, 84 The Immortal Man differs; it shows a memorial monument with an urn on the shoulders of women who stand on a column and steps which are surrounded by four figures. CGG-GAMES AND PUZZLES, 1991 |
| Historical context | Rewards: receipt stakes and /or moves forward, according to the rules Forfeits: payment of stakes (counters) and/or moving backwards or staying an extra turn in one spot; in accordance to the rules No. of Players: any Equipment required: teetotum; marker per player; at least 12 counters per player with an agree value per dozen; slip case of marbled paper with engraved label on the front. Rules: no rules provided however the game is so similar to those published by John Wallis that it will be played the same way. On the memorial tablet are the words - ML LEOPOLD/HERvBRAUNS/GEB1752GEST85 This probably means Leopold, son/lord/prince? of Brunswick, born 1752, died 1785 Wallis issued the Game of Human Life in 1790 and one or other of these may be a copy. Rules placement: no rules |
| Summary | This game is very similar to the Game of Human Life, an English board game. It has the same number of playing spaces, 84, and the illustrations are reverse images of the English version. The main title and the individual ones are in four languages: French, German, English and Polish. The aim is to reach immortality, and the end space of the game is the Immortal Man. It shows a memorial monument with an urn on the shoulders of women who stand on a column and steps, accompanied by four figures. On the memorial tablet are the words ‘MLEOPOLD/HERvBRAUNS/GEB1752GEST85’, which refer to Leopold of Brunswick, who drowned in 1785 while attempting to save people in a flood. He would have featured here as a model of selflessness, which was considered one of the qualities needed to attain eternal life. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | MISC.124-1989 |
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| Record created | March 4, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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