Ediciones del Prado - Portuguese Deck - 19th Century (Reproduction)
This modern facsimile, issued in 2004, replicates a Portuguese pattern deck dating back to around 1860. The original is housed in the Fournier Museum of Playing Cards (Museo Fournier de Naipes de Álava), and this edition faithfully reproduces its historical design.
The Portuguese pattern, now virtually extinct, survives only in isolated pockets of Sicily and Japan. While it didn't originate in Portugal, it takes its name from being the last country where it was used for everyday play. It is closely related to the Spanish suit system, comprising the traditional Coins (Ouros), Cups (Copas), Swords (Espadas), and Batons (Paus).
Visually, its most striking feature is the lack of pintas—the interrupted borders typical of Spanish decks—replaced here by solid, continuous frame lines. The knaves are presented as young women, and the aces feature prominent dragons clutching the suit symbols in their jaws, except for the Ace of Coins, where the coin simply hovers alongside the beast.
Lacking indices, the deck mirrors certain Italian regional patterns with Spanish roots. On the Swords and Clubs pip cards (numbers 2 to 9), the suit symbols form intersecting crosses centered around a decorative shield.
A documentary facsimile, conceived as a historical reproduction rather than a deck for everyday play.
Coins
Cups
Swords
Batons
Card Back & Extra
Tuck Case
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