BOWLES's ROYAL Pastime of CUPID, or Entertaining GAME of the SNAKE.

Dateca. 1785

Publisher Henry Carington Bowles 1763 - 1830

Publisher Samuel Carver 1756 - 1841

Publisher Bowles & Carver fl. 1793 - 1832

OriginEngland, London

MediumHand-colored line engraving

DimensionsOverall: 17 11/16 × 14 15/16in. (44.9 × 37.9cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1975-311

DescriptionThe upper margin reads: "BOWLES's ROYAL Pastime of CUPID, or Entertaining GAME of the SNAKE."
The lower left corner reads: "Printed for BOWLES & CARVER, Map and Printsellers N.o 69 in/ S.t Pauls Church Yard, LONDON."
The lower right corner reads: "Where may be had,/ Bowles's Royal & Entertaining Game of the Goose"

Game of 63 steps set out upon a coiled snake, starting at the snake's head and ending at his tail with a medallion of cupid set in a garden. Directions on how to play are 12 steps shown on each side of the snake.Label TextThe Game of the Snake, an adaptation of the Game of the Goose, is a simple roll and move game played with two dice, with spaces that cause you to move back, lose a turn, etc. The rules printed on the game board suggest there is also an element of gambling as well as elements of an early party or drinking game.