Set of 16 Playing Cards for the Game of As Nas

Set of 16 Playing Cards for the Game of As Nas

Public Domain

Set of 16 Playing Cards for the Game of As Nas
CulturePersian
Titles
  • Set of 16 Playing Cards for the Game of As Nas
Date19th century
MediumWatercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
DimensionsEach: 2 3/8 × 1 9/16 in. (6 × 4 cm)
Credit LineGift of Dr. Jalal and Mrs. Safa Golshan
Object number2017.11.1-.16
Not on view

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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).
ProvenanceDr. Jalal Golshan, Houston, until 2017 [1]; given to MFAH, 2017.

[1] These 16 playing cards from the second half of the 19th century have been in the family of Dr. Golshan (who in 2017 was 95 years old) for as long as he could remember.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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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
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.16
Shah or King Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
Shah or King Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.2
Bibi or Queen Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
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
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
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
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
Serbaz or Soldier Playing Card for the Game of As Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.7
Shah or King Playing Card for the Game of Nas
Shah or King Playing Card for the Game of Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.8
Lakat or Dancer Playing Card for the Game of Nas
Lakat or Dancer Playing Card for the Game of Nas
19th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2017.11.11
Playing Cards
Glenisson and Sons
Playing Cards
c. 1835–1840
Ink and watercolor on laid cardstock
B.94.19.1-.52
A Compendium of Religious Texts
Ahmad-e Neyrizi
A Compendium of Religious Texts
AH 1134 / 1721-22
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper; gold-colored pigments, metallic particles, and lacquer on pasteboard bookbinding
2012.470
Pen Case (Qalamdan) with Portraits
Pen Case (Qalamdan) with Portraits
18th century
Watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
2012.585