Ancient Italian Tarot

Ancient Italian Tarot - reproduction in renaissance style

The earliest Italian tarot cards were not made for divination. They were playing cards, status symbols, art objects. Only later did they acquire esoteric meaning. This deck refers to that earliest period, without claiming to be an exact historical copy.

Ancient Italian Tarot is a contemporary reproduction that tries to capture the atmosphere of fifteenth-century cards. The imagery is based on the classic structure of the Tarot de Marseille, with ornate figures and decorations reminiscent of old manuscripts and frescoes.

What you see on the cards

The colours are soft and earthy: ochre, brown, terracotta, faded blue. The gloss on the cardstock gives the cards something of an old print. Figures wear medieval clothing, the compositions are static and symmetrical.

The Major Arcana follow the traditional numbering and names. The Minor Arcana show wands, cups, swords and coins, with illustrations on the court cards and number symbols on the pip cards. No scenic depictions as in the Rider-Waite-Smith system.

The format is narrow and long (66 × 120 mm), typical of many European historical cards. If you have large hands, you will probably shuffle this type of card on a table rather than in the air.

Who this deck works for

This is a useful deck if you want to study the classic European tradition. The symbolism is sober, the imagery familiar to anyone who has worked with Marseille-style cards. No modern psychological layer, no extra symbols trying to interpret every detail.

For beginners, the deck can serve as an introduction to the historical basis of tarot, provided you have a guidebook or reference work at hand. The included booklet gives brief meanings, not extensive interpretations.

Draw a card and first look at the posture of the figure. Body language in old cards is more static than in modern decks, but precisely because of that, every movement or glance stands out more sharply.

About Lo Scarabeo

Lo Scarabeo is an Italian publisher that has been producing tarot cards since 1987. They publish both historical reproductions and contemporary designs, always with attention to printing and finishing. The guidebooks are standard multilingual.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78 (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
• Card size: 66 × 120 mm
• Cardstock: sturdy with light gloss
• Guidebook: multilingual booklet (English, Italian, Spanish, French, German)
• Style: based on fifteenth-century Italian tarot
• Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
• ISBN: 9788883951060

Questions we often get

Does this deck follow the Rider-Waite-Smith tradition?
No. This deck follows the structure of the Tarot de Marseille. The Minor Arcana mainly show symbols (wands, cups, swords, coins), not elaborate scenes as in the RWS system.

Is the guidebook extensive enough for beginners?
The guidebook gives brief card meanings, not extensive interpretations or spreads. If you are completely new to tarot, an additional book is recommended.