Aluette
The game of Aluette (or ‘La Vache’), dating back to the XVI century, is popular on the western coast of France, the Catalan region of Rousillon adjacent to Spain, also in Brittany and Bordeaux. It is played with a special pack based on the 48-card Spanish deck, which has evolved into a sort of hybrid deck with French stylistic influences. It is still used to this day.
In its modern form the 2 of cups has a recumbent cow and other idiosyncratic symbols, such as storks on several cards, small arrows on the club cards, or a kissing couple on the five of coins. The cavaliers are female and there is usually a naked child on the ace of swords and another on a swing in the two of clubs.
• See also: French Catalan pattern
Aluette by Dieudonné Jeune, Orléans, c.1850
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by Simon Wintle
Aluette game by Fabrique Dieudonné Jeune, Orléans, c.1850.
Dieudonné & Cie Aluette
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by Simon Wintle
Aluette playing cards manufactured by Dieudonné & Cie, Angers (France), early 20th century.
Jeu d'aluette by Fossorier, Amar et Cie
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by Simon Wintle
A very distinctive 48-card Spanish-suited pack is used to play Aluette.
Jeu D’Aluettes - Boéchat Frères c.1950
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by Simon Wintle
Jeu D’Aluettes manufactured by Boéchat Frères, Bordeaux, c.1950 with archaic Spanish features mixed with the standard Catalan pattern
Lequart Aluette
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by Simon Wintle
Spanish-suited Aluette pack with 'FABRICANDO IN MADRID' printed on the Two of Swords and the legend Lequart - Paris printed in the top left corners of the court cards.
Pierre Roiné Aluette
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by Simon Wintle
Archaic form of Aluette published by Pierre Roiné, Nantes, c.1785.