Ethnic & Indigenous Identities
In the twenty-first century we must embrace the diversity of our shrinking world. Playing cards often depict national or ethnic identities, cultures, worldviews, and native communities. These representations show the indigenous capacity to assert dignity amidst modernity, sometimes outshining even the fashion industry.
See also: Nationalism • Politics►
Casais Portugueses
-
by Matt Probert
Matching game by Majora, Lisbon, c.1970, featuring figures in national dress from Portuguese provinces and colonies
Characters of “The Water Margin”
-
by Matt Probert
Characters from the Chinese novel “The Water Margin” - 水滸撲克.
Chinese Roles of Beijing Opera
-
by Matt Probert
A very impressive deck of cards featuring 54 different images from “Chinese Roles of Beijing Opera” published by HCG Poker Productions, 2005
Circular Coon Cards
-
by Simon Wintle
Circular playing cards in a round tin titled: Sutherland's Circular Coon Cards published by Hartley Bros Pty Ltd, Australia, late 19th century.
Clans & Tartans of Scotland
“Clans & Tartans of Scotland” deck of cards designed and illustrated by Romilly Squire, 1997.
Cossack
“Cossack” playing cards, with artwork by O. Panchenko dedicated to the revival of the traditions of the Cossacks. Printed by the Colour Printing Plant, St Petersburg, 1994.
Costumes des Peuples Étrangers
-
by Simon Wintle
Costumes des Peuples Étrangers & Jeu d’Or dedicated to young people and likely used for games and fortune-telling.
Drum playing cards
Drum playing cards depicting demographically diverse Africans of different ethnicities.
East African Playing Cards
-
by Matt Probert
East African Playing Cards by Heraclio Fournier S.A., 1957.
El Rodeo Talabartería
-
by Simon Wintle
Promotional playing cards produced for ‘El Rodeo Talabartería’ specialising in leather goods and clothing, Buenos Aires, c.2006.
Escalada y Vidiella, Montevideo c.1860
-
by Simon Wintle
Cards from a 40-card pack made in Belgium by Antoine van Genechten exclusively for the firm "Escalada y Vidiella" based in Montevideo (Uruguay) in c.1860.
Estonian Ethnographic Playing Cards
Estonian national costumes and everyday items feature on this pack made in Estonia.
Estonian Historic Playing Cards
-
by Simon Wintle
The court cards and indices on Estonian playing cards are Södur, Emand, Kuninga.
Ethiopian Air Lines
Ethiopian Air Lines playing cards designed by Melles Habtezghi with courts wearing regional costumes, c.1969.
Ethiopian playing cards
A pack with court cards reflecting different ethnic and cultural groups found in Ethiopia.
Fair Play cross cultural playing cards
-
by Matt Probert
“Fair Play” cross cultural playing cards illustrated by Canadian artist Stephen B. MacInnes.
Falta Envido
-
by Simon Wintle
Naipes Argentinos para Truco "Falta Envido" created by Alberto Soifer with Gaucho courts and variant suit symbols, 1982.
