Playing Cards

Playing Card Box

Playing Card Box Lid

21798

From: India

Curatorial Section: Asian

View All (19) Object Images

Object Number 21798
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Indian | Hindu
Provenience India
Date Made 18th Century - 1900
Section Asian
Materials Paper
Iconography Vishnu
Description

Dasavatara ganjifa playing cards which represent the ten avatars of Vishnu. There are ten suits with twelve cards in each suit, ten numbered cards and two court cards, for a complete set of 120 cards. The suits are the following: Matsya suit on a black background and a fish, Kurma suit on a brown background and a turtle, Varaha suit on dark green background with a conch, Narasmimha suit on a green background with a chakra, Vamana suit on a yellow background with water pot, Parashurama suit on a yellow background with an axe, Rama suit on a red background with an arrow, Krishna suit on a crimson background with plough, Buddha suit on a yellow background with a lotus flower, and Kalkin suit on a red background with a sword (missing two face cards).

Outside Diameter 5 cm
Credit Line Gift of Dr. J. V. Ingham, 1900

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