Spanish National Pattern
Probably originating in Spain in the seventeenth century or even earlier, this pattern became strongly established by the Catalan cardmakers Rotxotxo of Barcelona.
Pere Rotxotxo, Barcelona, c.1650
Probably originating in Spain in the seventeenth century or even earlier, this pattern became strongly established by the Catalan cardmakers Rotxotxo of Barcelona. It was also manufactured in France and Italy. Although no longer used in Spain, during the 17th and 18th centuries it was extensively exported to Latin American colonies, and it provides the basis for many of the designs which are used today in Spain as well as South America. The Real Fábrica de Naipes de Macharaviaya (1776-1815) was manufacturing cards for export to South America based on these designs (see below). Several derivatives of this deisgn have survived in various parts of the world, such as French Aluette cards, French Cartes Catalanes, Parisian Spanish pattern (used in Uruguay) and cards used in North Africa.
See also: Navarra 17th Century • Seville 17th Century • Rotxotxo Workshop Inventories, Barcelona • Agostino Bergallo • Benoist Laius • Pedro Bosio and Money Bag pattern • Joan Barbot • Gandarillas • Naipes Artiguistas • Macharaviaya
Félix Solesio - Real Fábrica de Macharaviaya, 1787
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.
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