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Naipes ‘La Criolla’ by Anabella Corsi

Published July 23, 2016 Updated October 21, 2024

Inspired by an archaic Spanish pattern formerly used in Spain during the 16th and 17th centuries.

2009 Uruguay Gráfica Mosca La Criolla Anabella Corsi Art & Design Archaic Patterns Franco-Spanish

Naipes ‘La Criolla’ designed by Uruguayan graphic designer Anabella Corsi, 2008.

Naipes 'La Criolla' are inspired by an archaic Spanish pattern formerly used in Spain during the 16th and 17th centuries (example here). The first retail edition was printed in Uruguay in 2009 by Gráfica Mosca. An earlier verson with advertising on the reverse, and with several small differences of detail, was published in 2008.

"La palabra 'criolla' o 'criollo' significa 'hijo de europeo nacido en hispanomérica'. Cuando a partir de 1492, los europeos comenzaron a llegar a la América Hispana (de España), mayormente españoles e italianos por estas zonas, sus hijos fueron los 'criollos' de América. Tanto si eran hijos de padres europeos, como si fueran hijos de padre europeo y madre india, todos eran criollos. Mis naipes son así, criollos, porque nacieron aquí, ya que yo los diseñé, pero son 'hijos' de los naipes españoles" - Anabella Corsi.

Naipes La Criolla designed by Anabella Corsi Naipes La Criolla designed by Anabella Corsi

Above: Naipes 'La Criolla' designed by Anabella Corsi, 2008-09.

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By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.

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