Lombardy pattern

The origins of the Lombardy pattern probably lie in the early 19th century when it was a full-length design. Nowadays it is invariably double-ended. This pattern is also used in Italian Switzerland which, until 1803, was part of the Duchy of Milan. The design of the cards is reminiscent of several used in eighteenth century south and south-eastern France (i.e. Provence and Lyons patterns which are now obsolete). The pack has never had indices. The example shown below is from an uncut sheet by Edoardo Pignalosa, c.1952.