VINTAGE Italian Playing Cards - Pignalosa, Napoli
This is a Spanish-suited deck printed in Italy. The typology of Spanish/Italian playing cards is fascinating, with regional gaming traditions resulting in a wide variety of designs - even today. This lithographed sheet, printed on heavy card stock, is what a deck of 40 playing cards looks like before it is cut into individual cards. The artwork is from the 19th Century, with much older traditions stretching back into the 14th Century.
Spanish-suited playing cards have four suits, and a deck is usually made up of 40, 48, or even 50 cards. It is categorized as a Latin-suited deck, and has strong similarities with the Italian-suited deck, and less with the French Aluette deck. Spanish-suited cards are used in Spain, southern Italy, parts of France, Latin America, North Africa, and the Philippines. The Italian swords and clubs are often interlaced, whereas Spanish ones are separated. The interlacing comes from the traditional tarot suit arrangements, though not all Italian regional patterns have this feature. This one features upside-down suits, in the French manners.
Size 20.5 x 16.5 inches, good condition, fresh color, no oxidation of paper.
Suitable for framing.
For questions and concerns, please contact Jean at 310 994 6009.