Pike and Clover Playing Cards

The Pike and Clover Playing Cards is a 52-card deck that draws its artistic inspiration directly from the iconic Tarot de Marseille style. Created by Ian Cumpstey, this deck translates the bold lines, flat colors, and distinctive character poses of historical tarot into a functional playing card format. The project successfully funded on Kickstarter in 2017, appealing to enthusiasts of both playing cards and traditional tarot aesthetics.

The deck features standard playing card suits—Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, and Clubs—but renders them with the visual language of the Tarot de Marseille. This includes the characteristic court card figures, which are depicted in a similar upright, somewhat static manner, and the pip cards, which often feature stylized floral or geometric arrangements of the suit symbols. The design choice offers a unique blend of familiar gameplay with a rich, historical art style.

While primarily a playing card deck, its aesthetic roots in the Tarot de Marseille make it a distinctive item for collectors. The design maintains the charm and simplicity of early European card art, making it suitable for traditional card games while also serving as a conversation piece for those who appreciate historical card art. The clear suit and rank indicators ensure it remains fully functional for any standard card game.

This deck is ideal for collectors of unique playing card decks, particularly those with an interest in historical card art or the aesthetics of the Tarot de Marseille. It also appeals to card game enthusiasts who appreciate a distinctive visual style for their standard playing cards. While not a tarot deck, its visual roots may intrigue tarot readers who enjoy traditional art.

Ian Cumpstey created the Pike and Clover Playing Cards with the explicit goal of translating the distinctive art style of the old Tarot de Marseille cards into a standard playing card deck. This project reflects a deep appreciation for historical card art and a desire to make that aesthetic accessible within a familiar gaming format. The successful Kickstarter campaign in 2017 indicates a strong community interest in this unique fusion of traditional art and functional design.