Playing Card Deck
29-238-19
From: China | Fuzhou
Curatorial Section: Asian
| Object Number | 29-238-19 |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Culture | Chinese |
| Provenience | China | Fuzhou |
| Period | 19th Century |
| Date Made | 1889 - 1893 |
| Section | Asian |
| Materials | Paper | Ink |
| Technique | Printed |
| Iconography | Chess | Fruit | Flower |
| Inscription Language | Chinese Language |
| Description | 56 rectangular playing cards based on Chinese Chess (象棋 xiangqi). Backs with black printed design with two bats flanking endless knot motif. Faces printed in red or black with Chinese characters and fruits/flowers at the center. From Culin publication: "No. 19. - From Fuhchau. Four each of the red and the same number of the black cards. Remarkable for having index marks. Elaborate patterns on backs. Total, 56. 1 - A card-holder, made of pewter, accompanies this pack intended to obviate any advantage derivable from marked backs. In it, after dealing the ten cards to each of the two, three, or four players, the stock is placed; the bottom card is then drawn." |
| Length | 6.8 cm |
| Width | 2.6 cm |
| Credit Line | Purchased from William Henry Wilkinson, 1903 |
| Other Number | Wilkinson 19 - Collector Number | 29-191-242.3 - Old Museum Number |
Report problems and issues to digitalmedia@pennmuseum.org.