Qajar dynasty playing cards at the British Museum

Set 1 (display nos. 27–32) — six playing cards, lacquer on bone (Iran, Qajar dynasty, 19th century)

This group is clearly a suited, numbered system, with animal emblems repeated as suit-signs. The repeated peacock-feather ground and the fine lacquer finish are typical of Qajar decorative work across small luxury objects, not just playing cards.

Above: Six playing cards, Iran (Qajar dynasty), 19th century, lacquer on bone. British Museum label: “These cards include the 7 of Tigers, the 5 and 8 of Parakeets, and the 4, 6, and 7 of Eagles.” Collection no. 1914,0518,0.2.1–6. Photograph courtesy Adam Wintle.

Set 2 (display nos. 33–36) — four playing cards, lacquer on laminated paper (Iran, Qajar dynasty, 19th century)

Unlike the bone cards, these show narrative, figurative subjects (including dancers and mounted figures). Their format suggests they are remnants from a larger pack rather than a complete set, which is why the original game cannot be identified from the surviving cards alone.

Above: Four playing cards, Iran (Qajar dynasty), 19th century, lacquer on laminated paper. British Museum label: “Two of these cards come from one suit, and the other two are from separate suits, but it is not clear for which game they were intended.” Collection no. 2000,0613.1–4. Photograph courtesy Adam Wintle.

FURTHER REFERENCES

• British Museum Collection Online (object records — lacquer on bone): 1914,0518,0.2.1, 1914,0518,0.2.2, 1914,0518,0.2.3, 1914,0518,0.2.4, 1914,0518,0.2.5, 1914,0518,0.2.6.
• British Museum Collection Online (object records — lacquer on laminated paper): 2000,0613.1, 2000,0613.2, 2000,0613.3, 2000,0613.4.
• Encyclopaedia Iranica (background on Iranian card games and terminology): Card games.
• Replacement for the dead dlib.ical.ir PDF (Rubāʿiyāt-e Ganjifeh / Ahlī Shīrāzī): Ganjoor (online text).