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Nasir al-Din Shah Playing Card for the Game of As Nas

Nasir al-Din Shah Playing Card for the Game of As Nas

Public Domain

Nasir al-Din Shah Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
Artist
CulturePersian
Titles
  • Nasir al-Din Shah Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
Date19th century
MediumWatercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
Dimensions2 7/16 × 1 5/8 in. (6.2 × 4.1 cm)
Credit LineGift of Jalal Golshan
Object number2017.11.16
Non exposé

Explore Further

Department
Art of the Islamic Worlds
Object Type
DescriptionThese playing cards were designed for the game of As Nas, which became popular in 19th-century Iran. The rules of As Nas closely resemble those of poker. Each deck contains five suits: As (ace), featuring a lion combating a dragon and other mythical beasts; shah (king); bibi (queen); sarbaz (soldier); and lakat (dancer). One of the shah examples here depicts the contemporary ruler Nasir al-Din Shah (r. 1848–96).
Provenance Research Ongoing

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Shah or King Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
Unknown
Shah or King Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.2
Shah or King Playing Card for the Game of Nas
Unknown
Shah or King Playing Card for the Game of Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.8
Bibi or Queen Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
Unknown
Bibi or Queen Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.1
As or Ace Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
Unknown
As or Ace Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.6
As or Ace Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
Unknown
As or Ace Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.3
As or Ace Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
Unknown
As or Ace Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.4
Serbaz or Soldier Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
Unknown
Serbaz or Soldier Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.7
Lakat or Dancer Playing Card for the Game of Nas
Unknown
Lakat or Dancer Playing Card for the Game of Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.11
Set of 16 Playing Cards for the Game of As Nas
Unknown
Set of 16 Playing Cards for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.1-.16
Signed by Muhammad Isfahani, Portrait of Nasir al-din Shah (r. 1848–1896)
Muhammad Isfahani
Signed by Muhammad Isfahani, Portrait of Nasir al-din Shah (r. 1848–1896)
AH 1272 / AD 1856
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
2014.1122
Deck of 52 Playing Cards
L. I. Cohen
Deck of 52 Playing Cards
c. 1832–1850
Printed paper
B.91.49.1-.52
Playing Cards
Glenisson and Sons
Playing Cards
c. 1835–1840
Ink and watercolor on laid cardstock
B.94.19.1-.52
Unknown