This marble game appears to be a row game, but a row game requires at least five holes, thus it might be a type of Shuttle Puzzle. It is not clear how many holes there are, for in the painting there may be one more hole which the angle of the figures prevents us from seeing. In the painting, the boy at the right is placing a marble into one of the holes while the others watch.
As a row game, two players alternate, each attempting to fill three holes in a row, while preventing their opponent from doing the same thing. However, this may be a different marble game which was played in the 16th century and is no longer played.
Nevertheless, the game as illustrated in the painting could be a "Shuttle Puzzle ". Puzzles of this type require a number of sequential
moves in order to be solved. Normally, one person at a time tries to solve the puzzle. The solution involves moving counters back
and forth a specific number of times on the playing surface. To see a number of traditional "Shuttle Puzzles", click on
the one pictured at the right, or the item in the left column menu. Use your "back button" to return to this page.
Last update October 5, 2005