Virapulla

A virapulla set

A virapulla is a traditional Swedish gaming container with dishes and jettons designed for playing the national game of Vira, but also used for other games.[1][2][3]

Description

A virapulla container may be made of plastic, china[4] or metal.[1][3] The counters are based on the old French system with circular, short and long rectangular pieces known in French as jetons, fiches and contrats. There are individual dishes for the players and the container has a reversible lid for the common pool. The name is derived from the game of Vira and the French word poulan, which means "gaming dish". The French influence may be because Vira was derived from the then French games of Ombre and Boston. The game was invented in the 19th century and the virapulla in the early 20th century.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ a b Virapulla image and information at the Nordic Museum website. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Vira… the chips are stored in a virapulla" in Test, Play and Learn the Game of Vira at wirarestaurang.se. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b Spelmarker. Image and description of a virapulla in the Skelleftea Museum. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  4. ^ SLM 36822 - Fine example of a china virapulla at the Sörmlands Museum. Retrieved 28 September 2020.