Naipes ‘La Criolla’ by Anabella Corsi

Published July 23, 2016 Updated October 21, 2024

Inspired by an archaic Spanish pattern formerly used in Spain during the 16th and 17th centuries.

2009 UruguayArt & DesignAnabella CorsiGráfica MoscaLa CriollaArchaic PatternsFranco-Spanish

Naipes ‘La Criolla’ designed by Uruguayan graphic designer Anabella Corsi, 2008.

Naipes 'La Criolla' are inspired by an archaic Spanish pattern formerly used in Spain during the 16th and 17th centuries (example here). The first retail edition was printed in Uruguay in 2009 by Gráfica Mosca. An earlier verson with advertising on the reverse, and with several small differences of detail, was published in 2008.

"La palabra 'criolla' o 'criollo' significa 'hijo de europeo nacido en hispanomérica'. Cuando a partir de 1492, los europeos comenzaron a llegar a la América Hispana (de España), mayormente españoles e italianos por estas zonas, sus hijos fueron los 'criollos' de América. Tanto si eran hijos de padres europeos, como si fueran hijos de padre europeo y madre india, todos eran criollos. Mis naipes son así, criollos, porque nacieron aquí, ya que yo los diseñé, pero son 'hijos' de los naipes españoles" - Anabella Corsi.

Naipes La Criolla designed by Anabella Corsi Naipes La Criolla designed by Anabella Corsi

Above: Naipes 'La Criolla' designed by Anabella Corsi, 2008-09.

avatar
1,487 Articles

By Simon Wintle

Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact

I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.

Related Articles

Laurenzo Propagine

Laurenzo Propagine

Spanish-suited cards made in Italy by Laurenzo Propagine.

1708 Archaic Spanish proof sheets

Archaic Spanish proof sheets

2 x uncoloured proof sheets of archaic Spanish-suited playing cards produced for “New Spain”, possib...

1785 Pierre Roiné Aluette

Pierre Roiné Aluette

Archaic form of Aluette published by Pierre Roiné, Nantes, c.1785.

1584 Toledo, 1584

Toledo, 1584

Archaic Spanish-suited deck with 48 cards made in Toledo in 1584.

1682 Navarra Pattern, 1682

Navarra Pattern, 1682

Navarra pattern produced for the Pamplona General Hospital Monopoly in 1682.

1682 Navarra Pattern

Navarra Pattern

Navarra Pattern produced for the Pamplona General Hospital Monopoly.

2000 Playing Cards designed by Alvaros

Playing Cards designed by Alvaros

Playing Cards designed by Alvaros, published by Eduardo Carrión, Montevideo, 2000

1997 Joan Barbot

Joan Barbot

Joan Barbot, San Sebastian c.1765-1810.

1543 Tax on Spanish Playing Cards

Tax on Spanish Playing Cards

Taxation on Spanish playing cards, the monopolies and smuggling.

Navarra, XVII Century

Navarra, XVII Century

Facsimile of 17th century Spanish-suited playing cards produced by Erregeak, Sormen S.A., Vitoria-Ga...

Uruguayan Playing Cards

Uruguayan Playing Cards

Until the 19th century playing cards were imported into Uruguay from Spain.

Production Methods for Small Scale Editions

Production Methods for Small Scale Editions

Some alternative approaches to producing small, hand-made editions of playing cards

1574 Phelippe Ayet, c.1574

Phelippe Ayet, c.1574

Archaic, late medieval Spanish-suited playing cards printed by Phelippe Ayet, c.1574.

1574 Phelippe Ayet, 1574

Phelippe Ayet, 1574

49 assorted cards were found hidden in the lintel of a doorway, in an old building in Toledo, during...

Balázs Pál Nagy's Playing Cards

Balázs Pál Nagy's Playing Cards

Balázs Pál Nagy's Playing Cards

Ian Roth’s Unique playing cards

Ian Roth’s Unique playing cards

Ian Roth’s Unique playing cards

Uruguay playing card tax

Uruguay playing card tax

In 1806 the Council of Concepción del Uruguay imposed an 8 Peso tax on card and billiard tables on a...

Cía General de Fósforos Montevideana

Cía General de Fósforos Montevideana

The design of these Spanish-suited cards is the same Spanish Catalan style as used by their sister c...

Queen of Hearts

Queen of Hearts

“Queen of Hearts” by Josie Callipari, winner of the Brian Tucker Accounting Desert Fantasia Award 20...