Animal Tarot by J. T Dubois

Different regions have contributed to the development of variant decks for playing the game of tarot, each with unique themes or symbolism. This Animal Tarot (or ‘Tarock’) was produced at Fabrique de J. T. Dubois, Rue Souverain Pont No. 314, Liège, Belgium, in the early 19th century. The 22 trump cards are illustrated with exotic animals or rural scenes and have large roman numerals at the top and bottom, enabling them to be instantly recognised during play. The images were inspired by mythology or folklore; they were not designed for cartomancy.

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The 16 court cards in Bavarian style are adapted from the French ‘Paris’ pattern, with the addition of cavaliers or horsemen.

Above: 78-card Animal Tarot by J T Dubois, Liège, Belgium, hand-coloured woodcut, square corners, no indices, backs decorated with a pattern of hexagons enclosing suns, in original wrapper which bears a coat-of-arms and has the initials "J. D.", early 19th century. Card size = 109x58 mm. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Museum number 1896,0501.758►

The knave of diamonds holds a halberd with the initials "J K H" and also an escutcheon (a shield or a shield-shaped emblem bearing a crowned lion, typically used to represent a family, individual, or organization); the knave of hearts holds a halberd with the initial "J"; and the knave of spades' halberd has the initial "E" (which is a reference to I. B. Eberhard of Frankfurt, whose woodblocks were re-used). The king of diamonds has at the bottom "A Liege J. R."

References

Cremers, Filip: Kaartenmakers in Wallonië - Cartiers en Wallonie, Nationaal Museum van de Speelkaart, Turnhout, 1994

O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber, Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 (Flemish 8)[digital version here]