Het nieuwe vermaakelyke ganse-spel 1788 - 1820

This game board, Het nieuwe vermaakelyke ganse-spel, was created by Johannes Scheffers. It presents a winding path, framed by classical columns and populated with various figures and symbols, all leading to the center. Note the goose, which recurs throughout the game, a bird often associated with vigilance and good fortune, and the well, a symbol of the unconscious. These symbols, however, take on new life when considered in the context of the game: what was once sacred is now profane. Much like ancient pagan rituals were transformed into folklore, we see how deeply rooted cultural symbols are repurposed in the collective imagination. Consider the path itself: a journey not unlike life, filled with obstacles and opportunities, setbacks and triumphs. This echoes our primal fascination with destiny and the winding roads we must navigate. The game becomes a mirror reflecting our own hopes, fears, and the ever-present specter of chance. The goose and the well, once potent symbols, have been woven into a new narrative, illustrating the cyclical journey of symbols through history and their enduring power to engage with our deepest emotions and psychological states.