Provence Pattern - Portrait de Provence

Ihe 'Provence' pattern has early origins and contains figures which go back to the fifteenth century. Cards produced in Lyon were exported to Provence, and also turn up in other regional patterns. For example, the king of clubs wields a battle axe (with a fleur-de-lys on the blade) and has been found as the king of coins in early Spanish or Italian-suited packs and has become the king of hearts in English packs (also known as the 'Suicide King').

The king of hearts has a crowned bird perching on his left hand. The king of diamonds holds en extremely thin sceptre, while the king of spades is in profile with his sceptre over his shoulder. The queen of hearts is a fur-covered 'Wild Woman' with bare feet. The queen of diamonds has large cylindrical shoulder sleeves and inscriptions down the sides. The other two queens hold flowers up to their noses. The two black-suited valets have plaited hair and hold banners showing the cardmaker's name. Unlike some other French patterns, the court cards in the Portrait de Provence are not named.

Above: Provence pattern by Dreveton c.1696. The Provence pattern was used in south-western France: Aix, Marseille, Toulon, Avignon, Nimes and Montpellier. Image source: d'Allemagne, Henry-René : Les cartes à jouer du XIVe au XXe siècle, Hachette et Cie, Paris, 1906, vol.1, p.119 ff

Above: cards of the archaic 'Provence' pattern made by Alexandre Lionet (or Lionnet), woodblock and stencil printing. There were several Lionets known in Montpellier, we are not sure when this one operated, but probably mid 18th century. The King of Hearts usually has a falcon on his wrist, but here there is a sunburst which also appears in the patterns on several other cards (see JH, QH & QS). The King and Jack of Diamonds (bottom right) appear to be substitutes from a different set as the colour palette is slightly different. The backs of the cards were originally plain white, and have been re-used as a lexicon of French grammar. Images courtesy Luc Esterson.

See also: Phelippe Ayet, c.1574 • Secondary Uses of Playing Cards→

Right: the backs of the cards have been used as a lexicon of French grammar (click to see more) →

6 cards from the Provence pattern, late 18th century

Above: 6 cards from the old 'Provence' pattern by Etienne Lauret, late 18th century. The Queen of Diamonds has distinctive squared shoulders but no inscription. Image courtesy Dan Dragojevich.