€ 52,50
One of the oldest tarot decks in the world, dating back to the fifteenth century. This official reproduction shows the Renaissance masterpiece that inspired Pamela Colman Smith when she created the Rider-Waite-Smith. Produced in collaboration with the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan.
The first deck in history to feature all 78 cards fully illustrated with figures and scenes.
Only 1 left in stock
Most tarot decks claim to be historical. This one actually is. The Sola Busca dates back to the fifteenth century and is one of the oldest complete tarot decks that has survived.
Its importance lies not only in age. This was the first deck to illustrate all 78 cards with figures and scenes. No abstract wands, cups, swords and pentacles, but narrative images. That choice formed the foundation for the Rider-Waite-Smith, the most widely used tarot deck in the world.
This edition was produced in collaboration with the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan, the museum where the original is kept. Lo Scarabeo reproduced the cards with care: large format (77 x 144 mm), matte finish, rich colours that show the Renaissance origin.
The imagery belongs to the Italian Renaissance. Mythical and historical figures from classical antiquity, alchemical references, no Christian iconography. The style is refined and rich in symbolism.
Each card carries a name, often referring to a figure from antiquity. The Minor Arcana show complete scenes with characters in motion. The Major Arcana are equally detailed. The card format is large enough to see those details clearly.
The colours are intense but not garish. Gold, red, green and blue dominate. The drawing style shows the hand of the Renaissance artist, without modern retouching.
This is not a beginner deck. The symbolism deviates from standard interpretations. The cards ask for study and depth. Those who already have experience with tarot and are interested in its history will find a wealth of material here.
The guidebook runs to 128 pages and offers both historical context and practical interpretation. You read about the iconography, the mythological references, and how to lay out the cards. The English is clear.
Place a card from the Sola Busca next to the corresponding card from a Rider-Waite-Smith deck. The visual parallels show how Pamela Colman Smith adopted scenes and translated them into an early twentieth-century style.
How does this deck differ from a standard Rider-Waite-Smith?
The Sola Busca is the predecessor. The symbolism is older, more complex and refers to the Renaissance and classical antiquity. The Rider-Waite-Smith simplified and modernised that visual language. The structure is the same, the interpretation differs.
Are the cards suitable for daily use?
The format is large and the cardstock thick. The cards shuffle well but require some space. They are intended for study and collection, not for quick daily draws.
| Auteur | Paola Gnaccolini |
| Uitgeverij | Lo Scarabeo |
| ISBN | 9788865276136 |
| Taal | English |
| SKU | 0547-LS122 |
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