Three of Swords: P.14634-R(31)

Current Location: In storage

Titles

Three of Swords

Maker(s)

Printmaker: Unknown
Publisher: Felix Solesio & Sons

Entities

Playing card

Description

Three short, straight swords. The card is unnumbered. The Spanish term for the suit of Swords is 'Espadas'. The swords in Spanish suits are straight-edged, unlike the curved swords found in Italian suits. Each suit is identified by an outline frame known as 'la pinta', which distinguishes the suit without showing the whole card; the Cups have one interruption, the Swords two (as is seen here), the Clubs three, and the Coins none. 'La pinta' first appeared around the mid-17th century. Hand coloured woodcut on pasteboard. From an incomplete set, 51 of 52 playing cards (the Knight of Swords is missing) with Spanish suits in the Cadiz pattern, made in Madrid. The Ace of Coins has scrolls inscribed with the publisher's name and place of production: 'REAL FABRICA DE MADRID' and 'POR D FELIX / SOLESIO E HIJOS' (trans. 'Felix Solesio and Sons'). The Four of Coins includes a shield at the centre containing the inscription: 'NAYPES / FINISINOS / FABIRCADOS / FN MADRID / H 1801'. The Two of Cups includes the inscription: 'PARA CARACAS' [trans., 'To Caracas'], indicating that the pack was created for export to Caracas (Venezuela) and the Spanish colonies in South America. The backs of the cards are printed in blue ink with a repeated pattern of flower shapes composed of seven small dots. The British Museum holds a very similar complete pack of 52 cards which was published by Felix Solesio and Sons in 1802. See: 1896,0501.831. See Notes.