Object details
Object number
U11n65
Creator(s)
Italian
Title
Fortune Telling Cards
Date
mid 19th century - late 19th century
Medium
Painted woodcuts
Dimensions
9.2 x 5.2 cm (3 5/8 x 2 1/16 in.)
Provenance
Entered Isabella Stewart Gardner's collection at an unknown date.
Commentary
This colorful, 36-card deck is likely an example of an Italian-made Romani fortune telling deck. While it does share similarities with a Romani deck, it is clearly Italian in its imagery. Soldiers are depicted in 19th century Italian military uniforms and an “Il Diavolo”— The Devil—card has been added to the deck, reflecting the beliefs of the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.
Isabella probably acquired this deck on one of her many trips to Italy.
Bibliography
Deandra Duarte, “The Hand Isabella Dealt: A Selection of Playing Cards in the Collection,” Inside the Collection (blog), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 7 January 2025, www.gardnermuseum.org/blog/isabella-playing-cards-collection
Gallery
Macknight Room
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