SiRen International

“SiRen International” playing cards based on traditional style of Indian miniature painting, 1998. The court cards show Moghul and Hindu Kings, Queens and Princes. All Kings hold a sword, the Queens hold flowers and the Jacks hold a switch or a goblet. The back design shows an elephant with howdah, prince and mahout. Tiger’s heads are featured in the corners; and again tiger’s heads appear on the joker. It is not immediately obvious why the word “SiRen” has a capital ‘R’ in the middle.

Above: “SiRen International” playing cards based on traditional style of Indian miniature painting, 1998. 52 double-ended cards + 2 jokers in box, anonymous manufacturer. Images courtesy Matt Probert.

By Matt Probert

Member since March 02, 2012

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I have adored playing cards since before I was seven years old, and was brought up on packs of Waddington's No 1. As a child I was fascinated by the pictures of the court cards.

Over the next fifty years I was seduced by the artwork in Piatnik's packs and became a collector of playing cards.

Seeking more information about various unidentified packs I discovered the World of Playing Cards website and became an enthusiastic contributor researching and documenting different packs of cards.

I describe my self as a playing card archaeologist, using detective work to identify and date obscure packs of cards discovered in old houses, flea markets and car boot sales.