The origin of poker: a Qajar deck of As-Nas playing cards

[As-Nas - Persian playing cards]. [Twenty-five playing cards with hand-painted miniatures].

€ 12,500.00

A complete deck of As-Nas, the Persian card game recognized as the precursor to modern poker. This complete set of twenty-five cards, each hand-painted on a field of gold and lacquered, constitutes a rare and refined example of Persian card-making from the early 19th century. Housed in its original wood and bronze storage box designed to safeguard the deck, each card is intricately painted in a style evocative of Persian miniatures, with iconography ranging from stylized human figures to animals and tiny floral borders.

The deck follows the traditional As-Nas structure, which played a central role in Persian gaming customs by introducing a standardized hierarchy of suits and ranks. This system not only shaped strategic gameplay but also laid the foundation for the evolution of later card games beyond Persia. The deck comprises five suits, each represented by five cards:

1. Shah (King): a regal figure enthroned, embodying sovereign authority.

2. Bibi (Queen or Lady): a noblewoman, often portrayed holding a cup or symbolic object.

3. Sarbaz (Soldier or Jack): a military figure, commonly shown in armour or with a weapon.

4. Lak (Lion or Mythical Beast): symbolizing strength, protection, and heraldic nobility.

5. As (Ace or Generic Suit): generally adorned with abstract or emblematic designs.

The colour palette is opulent, incorporating gold highlights, deep blues, and vivid reds, in keeping with the aesthetic of the Qajar period.

The game of As-Nas originated in Persian gaming culture at least as early as the 16th century CE and remained prevalent until its decline in the late 19th century. The present deck dates from the Qajar period, an era notable for its artistic renaissance, technological development, and expanding cultural interactions between Persia and Europe.