Ancient Italian Tarot [Cards]

Lo Scarabeo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2000

This deck marks the coming of age of Tarot in Italy. The classic design of the Marseilles decks, reinvented by an anonymous artist, exemplifies 19th-century Italian art: detailed, symbolic, and richly colored in vibrant greens, muted reds, and vivid golds. The whole, decadently costumed array of Tarot archetypes are presented here, along with delicately ornamented Marseilles style pips.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Since 1987, Art Publisher Lo Scarabeo has published over 100 Tarot decks that have been acclaimed all over the world for originality and quality. Only the best Italian and International artists are selected for our new decks, and the result is that Lo Scarabeo's decks are all recognizable as an exceptional artistic value.

Tradition
One of Lo Scarabeo's goals is the preservation of traditional Tarot decks.

Development
New decks and ideas are continually gathered from all over the world. This allows Lo Scarabeo to produce some of the most innovative decks available today.

Quality
Lo Scarabeo is committed to ever increasing quality and beauty of their products.

Distribution
*Llewellyn is the exclusive distributor of Lo Scarabeo products in North America.

Product Details

• Cards: 78 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 78-card deck edition (September 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738700266
• ISBN-13: 978-0738700267
• Product Dimensions: 4.8 x 2.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age > Divination > Tarot

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars old world charm, has, Old Gypsi Fortune Telling Feel to them, January 23, 2003

By 

El Brujo "Brujo Hechisero" (Lowell, Ma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ancient Italian Tarot (Cards)

The Ancient Italian Tarots has to be one of my most favorite decks. Reason being, they have an Old World charm, that when used for giving readings, they take you back in time. They really have this Fortune Telling Feel to them, that I am crazy about. This deck is in the tradition of the various Marseilles decks, but instead of hard looking wood blocked images, these are drawn. The style is that expected from the Renaissance era. Of all the classic tarot decks that are in the market today, these are my most favorite. They are beautiful, and really do inspire the intuition.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best non-Marseilles traditional decks, April 12, 2003

By 

S. Gustafson "Holy Roman Emperor" (New Albany, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ancient Italian Tarot (Cards)

Llewellyn and Lo Scarabeo have out 2 different decks that are based on Carlo della Rocca's engraved versions of the traditional tarots. This is the one I recommend.

The other one, they call the "Classical Tarot." That one looks newer than this one. There are some minor variations on the pip cards. This one looks like a reproduction of a genuinely old deck. More importantly, they have not narrowed the image areas of the cards in order to fit a set of rather odd keywords on them, which they did to the Classical Tarot.

The images here are almost entirely consistent with the Tarot de Marseille symbolism on all the major points. These, however, are done with fine-lined engraving instead being based on blocky woodcuts. This deck will appeal to those who want a traditional deck but who find the art of the Marseilles deck hard to work with.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A really nice deck., July 24, 2003

By 

Kiana (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ancient Italian Tarot (Cards)

I got these, because of course with your first tarot deck you should get the one that calls out to you. I enjoy the pictures and the simple fact that they are old looking. Just adds to the charm of reading them. This is my first deck and i am a beginner, and dont recommend getting this if this will be your first deck, but if it does call out to you then do get it. The one thing about these cards is knowing when the meanings are reversed in the Minor Arcana. I believe its the Wands and the Swords that have the number on both ends. For me it just means a little more studying and getting to know my cards better, for when i do start reading them. What i also like about these cards is that they are smaller than most decks, and easier to shuffle if you have small hands like myself. All in all, this is a nice deck for those who want an old looking deck, as well as the history behind it also.