Qajar Dynasty playing cards
Qajar Dynasty playing cards, Iran, 19th century.
Ganjafeh was a popular card game in Iran and the Arab world, played between two and nine players with ninety-six cards. In the Qajar period (AD.1779-1924) the poker-like game of as was played with five suits of five cards each.
Qajar Dynasty playing cards, Iran, 19th century
Above: Qajar Dynasty playing cards, Iran, 19th century, lacquer on laminated paper. Two cards come from one suit and the other two are from separate suits, but is is not clear for which game they were intended. Photograph courtesy Adam Wintle.
Above: six Qajar Dynasty playing cards, Iran, 19th century, lacquer on laminated bone. These cards include the 7 of tigers, the 5 and 8 of parakeets and the 4, 6 and 7 of eagles. Images courtesy V&A Museum, London [1914 5-18 02.1-6]. Photograph courtesy Adam Wintle.
FURTHER REFERENCES
The Rubaiyat-e-Ganjifa is contained somewhere within this larger work: Rubaiyat-e-Ganjifa►
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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