Ancient Italian
Historical Italian tarot reproduction from 1880s based on Marseilles tradition.
creator unknown · Lo Scarabeo Deck Type: Tarot Deck Cards: 78 Rating: stars out of five Where to · 1880
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The record
This deck is a reproduction of an Italian deck from the 1880's, which in turn was based in part on the 1835 deck by Carlo Della Rocca. It has rapidly become my favourite traditional deck, which for me means that it is my favourite deck of all time. The trumps in this deck are soundly based on Marseilles symbolism, if not always on Marseilles design principles. What you get, at least in the images on the cards, almost always directly reflects the Marseilles tradition. There are some typically Italian modifications, though: the Magician (I - Il Bagatto) becomes an artisan, probably a cobbler --- at least I think that is a cobbler's last on his table. He wears an apron, tying him not only to the practice of skilled trades, but also to Freemasonry. The Lovers (VI - Gli Amanti) have the typical couple and Cupid; they stand before a crowned woman in ermine robes, and the man grasps the hilt of his sword. The Wheel of Fortune (X - La Ruota) is an intriguing design, adding a torch to one of the posts of the Wheel, and placing at the head a crowned, winged figure who wields the thunderbolts of Jove and a cornucopia. The fruit of the cornucopia falls down the wheel, and is pursued by a fox.
The cards
