Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
6 of Roses, from The Round Playing Cards of Master PW of Cologne
Master PW of Cologne German
Not on view
The Round Playing Cards of Master PW of Cologne
Around 1500, a Cologne engraver known only as the Master PW created a pack of round cards with the suits of Pinks, Columbines, Roses, Parrots, and Hares, with each suit comprising a king, queen, upper knave, under knave, and pip cards from 10 through 1, for a total of seventy-two cards. These small and finely engraved works were published with a title and a colophon suggesting that they were intended as a series of fine prints to be admired rather than as playing cards. None are known to have been mounted as cards.
Suits: Pinks, Roses, Columbines, Rabbits, and Parrots
14 cards in each suit: King, Queen, Upper Knave, Under Knave, 10 through 1 plus one card with an inscription honoring Cologne and another with the image of Death
72 cards, of which 72 survive
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