Animal suited playing cards engraved by the Master of the Playing Cards, Germany, c.1455-60, possibly intended as models for use in workshops but also used for play. Size: 13.7 x 9.1 cm

See also: The Ambras Hunting Pack  The Stuttgart Pack   The South German Engraver

Such figures of deer, lions, unicorns, doves and herons, for example, recur almost identically incorporated into the border decorations and miniature illustrations of manuscripts from the same period. Playing cards served as repositories or copy books for design motifs to be used by other craftsmen and artists.