An exceptional and visually arresting set of twelve early playing cards, dating to the late 16th century and originating from Austria. Executed in traditional woodblock print and delicately hand-painted, this rare group beautifully reflects the transition from the Late Gothic period into the Early Renaissance in Central Europe.
Each card displays remarkable period detail, particularly in the finely rendered court figures dressed in late 15th-century attire- short doublets and jerkins, tight hose, puffed and slashed sleeves, feathered caps, and stylized armor elements. The costumes embody the expressive elegance of Late Gothic fashion while hinting at the emerging Renaissance aesthetic north of the Alps.
The surviving hand-coloring- earthy reds, deep blues, muted greens, and warm ochres- enhances the strong linear quality of the woodcut technique. The natural wear, surface patina, and scattered losses visible in the images attest to the cards’ age and authentic use, adding to their historical character and collectible appeal. The sizes of the cards are irregular.
The set includes a mix of pip and court cards, with beautifully stylized suit symbols and dynamic figural compositions. The expressive faces and exaggerated silhouettes are characteristic of 16th-century Austrian and Southern German printmaking traditions.
Accompanied by an antique wooden storage box...
Category
16th Century Renaissance Antique Austrian Furniture