Le Jeu Destin Antique Fortune Telling Cards, Cartomancy Cards by Piatnik

PIATNIK  TAROT CARDS, CARTOMANCY CARDS

Lenormand's method of card reading with a Euchre pack survives in the form of a card deck called Le Jeu Du Destin Antique (Antique Cards of Destiny). In this 32-card deck, there are 4 layers of imagery: Each card has a circled  set-number. These numbers run in straight descending order, like A, K,  Q, J, T, 9, 8, 7 -- from the Ace of Hearts at number 1  through the 7 of Clubs at number 32), a small inset representing the respective playing card face, a larger scene in which human figures subtly act out the card's meaning, and, at top right, a mnemonic symbol from classical sacred imagery (the 12 court cards bear the signs of the Zodiac and the 20 pip cards display an array of Greco-Roman gods and goddesses). The central figures are mid-19th century and classical in costume, drawn in typical European style period. This exquisite little deck is illustrated with classic fortune telling scenes from the 19th Century.  Published by Piatnik.  The deck includes 36 full color cards and an instruction booklet in French, German, Hungarian and English.  32 cards have beautiful very detailed images there are 4 of each cards from ace to sevens with hearts, spades, clubs and diamonds. The taro cards are made in Austria. Also a little white booklet included with detailed explanation of how to use the tarro cards is included. Here are two examples of how the visual symbolism helps the reader to improvise on the card's meaning: The central image of card number 1 shows a young man and woman, who seem to be sweethearts, leaning against a farmyard fence as the man points to a circular crockery pan of water on the ground which, quite evidently, reminds them both of a golden wedding ring. The playing card inset is the Ace of Hearts. Above, in the "classical" portion of the card, Cupid waves a  hand but does not shoot his bow, reinforcing the idea of longed-for but not yet consummated love. The 9 of Clubs,  set-number 14,  shows a man of the nobility, perhaps a  military officer, pressing his attentions upon a young peasant woman who turns away from him, head down, smelling a red rose, which she holds in both hands. Above them a winged figure who seems to be a naiad, sits dejectedly with her feet in a pool of water. The implication is that the woman does not trust her suitor or that she is false to him.