A SET OF LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ CIRCULAR GAME CARDS (GANJIFA) WITH ITS BOX

RAJASTHAN, INDIA, 19TH CENTURY

Details

A SET OF LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ CIRCULAR GAME CARDS (GANJIFA) WITH ITS BOX
RAJASTHAN, INDIA, 19TH CENTURY
The box of rectangular form with slightly raised lid, the polychrome painted decoration depicting courtly life, the sides with a procession of a ruler mounted on a heavily caparisoned elephant and another reclining in a horse-drawn cart preceded and followed by their retinues, the lid with a view of a palace, the lid sliding to reveal ninety six circular playing cards, each with a lattice-like diagram to its reverse
7 ¾ x 3 ½ x 2 7/8in. (19.8 x 9 x 7.5cm.)

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Lot Essay

The first mention of this card game called Ganjifa is in the Chronicles of Babur in the 16th century. Other authors such as Ahli Shirazi in Rub'ayat-i Ganjifa (circa 1514-15) and Abu al-Fazl in 'Ayn-i Akbari also mention the game in details. The Mughal Ganjifa contains eight suits, each of 12 cards for a complete pack of 96 cards. The cards were very often illustrated, in a style that would follow the local school of painting. However it seems that a certain conservatism in the styles of Ganjifa painting has made them difficult to date precisely. Although often made of papier-mache and cardboard, the best examples were made of ivory and tortoiseshell.

A similar complete set of Ganjifa cards sold at Christie's South Kensigton, 11 April 2014, lot 215.

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