Snakes and Ladders
Board Game
ca. 1900 (published)
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 | |
Title | Snakes 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 |
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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 created | March 4, 2000 |
Record URL |
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