Carte Bolognesi
New designs reinforcing Bologna’s reputation as the gastronomic capital of Italy.
Don’t be fooled by the title or the writing on the box – this is not a Bolognese pattern pack! Far from it. First and foremost, it celebrates Bolognese people and their culinary traditions. The suits are tortellini, calici di rosso Bolognese (goblets of the local red wine), coltelline (knives), and mattarelli (rolling pins). All the courts in the suits of tortellini and mattarelli represent female figures in honour of their contribution to Bolognese cooking. The only element remaining from a traditional Bolognese pattern pack is the double-ended tassel on the 2 of tortellini. Otherwise, this pack has many of the elements of a Piacentine pattern – a bird (a cock rather than an eagle) on the Ace of tortellini, a Cupid on the Ace of tortellini, and a tree stump on the Ace of mattarelli. Even the size is that of a Piacentine pattern pack. The motto on the Ace of tortellini is amusing – “In brodo we trust” (“In broth we trust”)!
Above: ‘Carte Bolognesi’ made by T. Dal Negro, Treviso, for Boh! Edizioni, Bologna, Italy, c2023 (or earlier). 40 cards in tuck box. Size: 51 x 91 mm. Purchased in Bologna, June 2023.
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
Activity for Carte Bolognesi
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
EFFEGIEFFE
Corporate gift: a non-standard "Venice Carnival" deck by Dal Negro.
79: Goodall in Italy
A survey of the influence Goodall's courts had on Italian cards.
Sicilian Playing Cards
Sicilian Playing Cards by Dal Negro (Carte da Gioco).
Le carte da gioco Arcimboldo
Courts and suit-signs inspired by the works of the Italian Renaissance painter, Giuseppe Arcimboldo....
I Tarocchi del Buongustaio
A less-than-serious set of major arcana on a gourmet theme, with designs by Cosimo Musio.
Bischofszell
Advertising pack for the food producer Bischofszell, designed by Heinz Looser-Brenner, with non-stan...
Tarocco Indovino
Sergio Ruffolo’s “Tarocco Indovino” is an expanded version of his “Lo Zodiaco” cartomancy deck.
Lo Zodiaco
French-suited fortune-telling pack with distinctive designs by Italian artist Sergio Ruffolo.
Modet Sardegna
Costumes, masks and symbols from the island of Sardinia, with designs by Luciano Dettori and Tonino ...
Il Quinto Seme
An Italian pack with a fifth suit of “amici” (“friends”).
Fernando Valenti
Designs by Italian artist Fernando Valenti issued to coincide with an exhibition of his work in 1986...
Baracca & Burattini
Baracca & Burattini puppetry deck printed by Dal Negro, 1998.
Le Avventure di Pinocchio
Avventure di Pinocchio by Dal Negro, based on Carlo Collodi’s famous 1883 novel “The Adventures of P...
Dal Negro Bridge set
Dal Negro Bridge set featuring old Vienna pattern courts.
Cities of Art - Naples
Striking views of Naples, photography by Cesare Gerolimetto, produced by Dal Negro.
Lombardy (or Milanesi) pattern
The origins of the Lombardy pattern probably lie in the early 19th century when it was a full-length...
Trevisane pattern
The double-ended version of the ‘Trevisane’ pattern originated in the early 19th century.
Florentine Pattern
Originally one of several designs which emerged during the nineteenth century, the Florentine patter...
Brescia pattern
The Brescia pattern contains elements which come from a past age.
The History of Playing Cards
Playing cards appear in European records in the late 14th century, but their earlier history lies fu...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
