{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O927515"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O927515/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O927515","accessionNumber":"E.527:26-1890","objectType":"Print","titles":[{"title":"XXVI Scorpio, The Scorpion, Minchiate Card","type":""}],"summaryDescription":"Often associated with the tarot, Minchiate is an Italian card game consisting of 97 cards. Invented in Florence in the 1530s, the Minchiate deck consists of 21 trump cards also seen in tarot decks (For Example The Moon, The Star, Strength, The Wheel of Fortune), 56 pip cards again used in tarot (the swords, the cups, the batons, and the coins), the 12 astrological signs (Capricorn, Aquarius, Taurus, Gemini etc), three theological virtues (Hope, Faith, and Charity), one cardinal virtue (Prudence), and the four elements (Earth, Air, Fire, and Water). Like the tarot, these cards were originally used as a playing card game rather than for divination and was fashionable amongst the Italian elite of the 16th and 17th centuries. \r\n\r\nThis deck was printed between 1712 and 1716 Giovan Molinelli, whose signature can be seen on the Cancer card (E.527:30-1890), alongside a Tuscan tax stamp of a Lion which helps date the cards. \r\n","physicalDescription":"A minchiate playing card depicting the astrological sign Scorpio, represented by a scorpion on water. The card is printed with the Roman numeral 'XXVI' above the scorpion and has a dotted pattern along the border edge. The outer paper wrapper on the reverse of the card is relief printed with the coat of arms of the Medici Family, featuring five balls and an additional ball containing three fleurs-de-lis. Above the coat of arms is a crown with floral garlands flanking either side, and a Maltese cross hanging below.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Giovan Francesco di Santi Molinelli","id":"AUTH409459"},"association":{"text":"publisher","id":"x32600"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"printing ink","id":"AAT187371"},{"text":"paper (fiber product)","id":"AAT14109"}],"techniques":[{"text":"etching (printing process)","id":"AAT53241"},{"text":"engraving (printing process)","id":"AAT53225"},{"text":"relief printing","id":"AAT53285"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Etching with engraving on paper and relief printing on the outer paper wrapper","categories":[{"text":"Playing cards and tarot cards","id":"THES48909"},{"text":"Prints","id":"THES48903"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"PDP","id":"THES48595"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"LVLF","id":"THES49656"},"free":"","case":"FRI SH","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"playing cards","id":"AAT211294"}],[{"text":"prints","id":"AAT41273"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Florence (city)","id":"x28848"},"association":{"text":"printed","id":"x46159"},"note":""},{"place":{"text":"Tuscany","id":"x29374"},"association":{"text":"printed","id":"x46159"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1712-1716","earliest":"1712-01-01","latest":"1716-12-31"},"association":{"text":"printed","id":"x46159"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"10.1","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"5.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"‘XXVI Scorpio, The Scorpion’, etched and engraved minchiate card with a relief printed outer wrapper displaying the coat of arms of the Medici Family, part of a 97 playing-card deck published by Giovan Francesco di Santi Molinelli, Florence, 1712-1716","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"Hamilton, Jean. Playing Cards in the Victoria and Albert Museum London: Her Majesty's Stationary Office, 1988","id":"AUTH410844"},"details":"","free":"Hamilton, Jean. Playing Cards in the Victoria & Albert Museum. Victoria & Albert Museum. Her  Majesty's Stationery Office. London, 1988. \r\nThe full text of the entry is as follows:\r\n207\r\nPack of 97 Florentine minichiate cards. Late 18th century.\r\nBacks with the arms of the Medici.\r\n[Hoffmann, pl. 69b; O’Donoghue, 47; Keller, ITA 55]\r\nStamped on the atout XXX with the stamp of an unidentified collector and inscribed in ink: Anton Pius. Molinelli. See also E.822-1939.\r\nEngravings, with woodcuts pasted on the backs and overlapping to form a border round the card face. Each 10 x 5.7 cm."},{"reference":{"text":"Depaulis, Thierry. Tarot, Jeu et Magie Paris: Bibliotheque Nationale De France, 1984","id":"AUTH410847"},"details":"","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"Kaplan, Stuart.R. The Encylopedia of Tarot Volume I New York: U.S. Games Systems, Inc. 1978 Number: L6597","id":"AUTH410856"},"details":"","free":""}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["E.527:26-1890"],"accessionNumberNum":"527","accessionNumberPrefix":"E","accessionYear":1890,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-03-27","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-30","availableToBook":false}}