Les Chevaliers de la Table Ronde
A pictorial study by Jean Bruneau inspired by an ancient work rooted in Celtic history.
Muted blues, greens, and yellows dominate the gorgeous ethereal artwork by Jean Bruneau for this appropriately otherworldly depiction of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table rendered in a romantic, neo-medieval style. Forms are refined into rhythmic shapes and patterns, giving the cards a modern sensibility recalling French and Breton folk illustration. An accompanying brochure explains the personages pictured on the single-figure courts.
The pip cards have embellished suit symbols evocative of arrowheads and Celtic spirals; suit symbols on the courts are non-ornamental. The jokers are the Green Knight, who had a helluva party trick, according to the legend. There are two different backs showing the heraldic furs ermine and ermines (counter-ermine), coat-of-arms depictions of stoat pelts worn by nobles and royals in the Middle Ages. A title card rounds out the deck.
Les Chevaliers de la Table Ronde Arthurian playing cards illustrated by Jean Bruneau and published by B-P Grimaud / France Cartes, 1986.
Web link
Website of Jean Bruneau ►
By Lev Golinkin
United States • Member since May 26, 2026
I'm a US-based author and journalist. I've been collecting playing cards since I was about 8 years old, when I got mesmerized by the various decks that were used in Soviet Ukraine, where I'm from. I collect mainly European decks such as those by Dondorf, Grimaud, and Piatnik. I love courts above all else, and am drawn toward historical and artistic decks.
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