Cartas Portuguezas

The Portuguese introduced their cards to Brazil but the use of the old Portuguese pattern died out towards the end of the 19th century. This is a late example of the Portuguese pattern. After this Belgian and German exports took over the market. Court cards are king, knight and maid. The maid of clubs no longer has a small dog at her feet but the maid of coins still holds a coffer or jewel case. The coin suit-marks have the form of rosettes, and the swords and clubs are arranged as trophies with shields. A cross-legged manikin sits behind the two of clubs. On the aces the suit-mark is held by a dragon.

Above: Portuguese pattern playing cards produced by woodblock and stencil in (or in Lisbon for) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, late 19th century. 48 cards, in original wrapper lettered “Cartas Portuguezas, Da R. F. do R_o de Janr_o”. The 6 of cups bears a cipher, "R.F" but the banners on the fours of coins and cups are empty. The monogram on the six of cups is made to resemble that of the Real Fábrica de Lisboa, but it is possible that this example was actually manufactured anonymously in Belgium. Backs printed in blue with a pattern of stars. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Cartas Portuguezas►

References

O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber, Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 (Portuguese 1) [digital version here]

See also Bibliothèque nationale de France: Cartes de tête d'un jeu au portrait portugais►