Snakes and Ladders thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Snakes and Ladders

Board Game
ca. 1900 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

When it was originally devised, Snakes and Ladders was a moral game. The virtues, in the shape of ladders allowed the players to reach heaven quickly. The snakes were the vices for which the players were punished by having to move backwards. The game is generally considered to be a version of the Indian Moksha-Patamu religious instruction game. This version was made in Germany for the British market. Its design follows the more usual pattern of 100 playing spaces. Very moral themes and characters are used as illustrations. For example, Punctuality leads up a ladder to Opulence while Robbery leads down a snake to a beating. The games ends with a scroll of names of people well-known for their hard work and virtue.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSnakes and Ladders (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Chromolithographed paper on card
Brief description
Card board game of Snakes and Ladders made in Germany about 1900
Physical description
Design: chromolithography mounted on card and folded into three sections.
No. of squares: 100
Squares illustrated: some
Square numbering: all
Squares titled: some
Subject of starting square: ?
Subject of ending square: ?
Dimensions
  • Height: 36.2cm
  • Folded width: 19.3cm
Object history
Very moral themes and characters are used to illustrate the various aspects for example, Perseverence lead up a ladder to moral sayings or names of reformers or heroes while vice such as cruelty lead down a snake to some form of punishment
This is likely to have been produced in Germany (Bavaria) to an English design as it is a chromolithograph. Possibly the product of Globe, Chad Valley or Spears.
CGG-Games & Puzzles, 1991
Historical context
Rewards: forward movement along the ladders
Forfeits: backward movement along the snakes
No. of Players: any
Equipment required: markers, dice

Rules:
This is likely to have been produced in Germany (Bavaria) to an English design as it is a chromolithograph. Possibly the product of Globe, Chad Valley or Spears.

Rules placement: none
Summary
When it was originally devised, Snakes and Ladders was a moral game. The virtues, in the shape of ladders allowed the players to reach heaven quickly. The snakes were the vices for which the players were punished by having to move backwards. The game is generally considered to be a version of the Indian Moksha-Patamu religious instruction game. This version was made in Germany for the British market. Its design follows the more usual pattern of 100 playing spaces. Very moral themes and characters are used as illustrations. For example, Punctuality leads up a ladder to Opulence while Robbery leads down a snake to a beating. The games ends with a scroll of names of people well-known for their hard work and virtue.
Collection
Accession number
E.173-1950

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Record createdMarch 4, 2000
Record URL
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