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Playing Cards from Italy

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Italian Playing Cards

The first reliable evidence that playing cards were being used in Italy is from 1376, when a game called 'naibbe' is forbidden in a decree, with the implication that the game had only recently been introduced there.

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Tarocco Milanesi by Lamperti (Milan) c.1850 1850

Tarocco Milanesi by Lamperti (Milan) c.1850

Tarocco Milanesi by Lamperti (Milan) c.1850

Tarocco Neoclassico 1980

Tarocco Neoclassico

Gumppenberg published several new decks by artists or engravers of the day. The designs are clear and well-engraved, in the style of the revival of antiquity, preserving the symbolic intensity of the Tarot.

Tarocco Piemontese | Piedmontese tarot

Tarocco Piemontese | Piedmontese tarot

The double ended version of the Piedmontese Tarot evolved during the second half of the nineteenth century, most probably in Turin. It is still produced and used today.

Tarocco Piemontese by Giovanni Rossi

Tarocco Piemontese by Giovanni Rossi

18th c. Piedmont Tarocchi by Giovanni Rossi, Turin.

Tarocco Siciliano 1960

Tarocco Siciliano

The highly individual Sicilian Tarot has the Italo-Portuguese suit system with straight, interlocking swords and batons, and maids instead of jacks

The Circus 1980

The Circus

“The Circus” playing cards with artwork by Max Dissar and Rita Rielle, published by Masenghini, Bergamo, c.1980.

The Lovers playing cards 2003

The Lovers playing cards

Reproductions of old postcards with romantic messages for Valentine’s Day.

The Visconti-Sforza Tarot, c.1460 1460

The Visconti-Sforza Tarot, c.1460

This pack of tarot cards appears to have have been made in the Bembo workshop in Cremona for Bianca Maria Visconti, c.1460.

Topolino Fiat Cinquecento 1993

Topolino Fiat Cinquecento

Fully illustrated Italian Disney pack advertising the Fiat Cinquecento, made by Modiano, Trieste, Italy, 1993.

Trentine Pattern

Trentine Pattern

Trentine Pattern

Trevisane pattern

Trevisane pattern

The double-ended version of the ‘Trevisane’ pattern originated in the early 19th century.

Triestine Pattern

Triestine Pattern

The Triestine pattern is derived from the Venetian (Trevisane) pattern but with its own characteristics.

V. F. Solesio Tarot 1860

V. F. Solesio Tarot

V. F. Solesio Tarot, Genoa, mid-late 19th century.

Venetian Tarot 1980

Venetian Tarot

Scenes from the history of Venice on a set of the major arcana.

Venus et Cupidon 1985

Venus et Cupidon

“Venus et Cupidon” from Costante Costantini in his distinctive woodcut style.

Vergnano Tarot 1826-1851

Vergnano Tarot 1826-1851

Stefano Vergnano’s Tarot and playing card factory holds a special place in the history of the Tarot.

William Tell

William Tell

Facsimile of Swiss William Tell deck from c.1870 published by Lo Scarabeo.

World Bridge 1953

World Bridge

‘World Bridge’ produced by Modiano in Trieste, Italy, since around 1950.

Wüst playing cards with International scenic aces 1900

Wüst playing cards with International scenic aces

A rarely seen pack of cards

XV Century Italian Playing Cards 1462

XV Century Italian Playing Cards

Cards from a pack of an early form of north Italian playing cards, with the swords back-to-back and curved outwards. Believed to be Venetian, dated 1462.