Âs Nas playing cards with box

The item shown here is a mixed set of As Nas playing cards from Persia (now Iran). These type of cards are specific to Persia and date from the Qajar Dynasty (1785-1925). They fell out of use in the 1940's when International playing cards became widely available. Their origin is not known, but they have some relationship to Ganjifa cards from India which are made in a similar way using glued layers of paper or linen, which are then lacquered and painted. A full pack of As Nas cards has 20 or 25 cards, with suits of 5 cards being repeated 4 or 5 times.

This set consists of 16 mixed cards which come from different packs, showing different styles and quality. The cards came in a beautiful hand made wooden box which seems to have been made specifically to hold a pack of As Nas playing cards. The box is meticulously painted on all sides, all of which are shown below.
A suit of As Nas cards is comprised of a Shah (King), Bibi (Queen), Soldier (Sarbaz), Couli or Lakkat (Dancer or Courtesan) and an As (Lion). Different spelling can sometimes be used.

The cards shown probably date between 1860 and 1900, but they are very difficult to date exactly. The box is probably from the same period.
You can see other examples here and here.

Above: The 16 cards found in the box

Above: two cards showing the backs, one with a label "made in Persia"

Above: the front and back of the box

Above: the two sides of the box

Above: The top and bottom of the box

All cards shown are from the collection of Paul Symons ©