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Playing Card Chat ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦ => Deck Reviews! => Topic started by: EndersGame on March 24, 2017, 04:04:08 AM
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ART OF PLAY: African Decks
As far as a source for creative playing cards goes, you won't really find a better place than the Art of Play (http://artofplay.com) website (artofplay.com (http://"http://www.artofplay.com)). I've recently been scouring the internet to research some of the places you can get beautiful playing cards, and When I first discovered the Art of Play website I was blown away by the variety, creativity, quality, and beauty of the decks of playing cards they have available. Their catalogue of Playing Cards (https://www.artofplay.com/collections/playing-cards) is self-described as "A collection of the absolute finest playing cards in the world. Featuring hand-painted works of art, award-winning design and luxury packaging." And they're not far wrong - it contains over 130 different decks, including some stunningly creative and artistic designs. Owned and managed by magicians and cardists Dan & Dave Buck (http://dananddave.com), Art of Play carries some of the most beautiful decks of playing cards I've ever seen. In this review, I will show you some of what I consider to be their African decks that I own myself and have first-hand experience with, and I will give you a pictorial overview of them.
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JUNGLE DECK
The Jungle deck (https://www.artofplay.com/products/jungle-deck) is also somewhat of a playful deck.
(https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3468775.jpg)
It contains "vibrant colors and raw animal magnetism which was inspired by the jungles of Africa."
It's not surprising that it is bursting with African jungle flavours, given that it was designed in South Africa by creator Muti.
(https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3468808_md.jpg)
All of the cards are custom illustrated and feature elements from the Zulu wilderness.
(https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3468809_md.jpg)
Even the number cards have exaggerated pips and a unique style of text that is in keeping with the feel of rest of the deck.
(https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3472432_md.jpg)
The Jungle deck just has this wild jungle-like vibe about it, and looks colourful, creative, and energetic - I love it!
(https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3441676_md.jpg)
LOST WAX DECK
With the Lost Wax deck (https://www.artofplay.com/products/lost-wax) we head away from the jungle, and travel back in time to Africa in the 15th century.
(https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3468852.jpg)
This deck immediately gets your attention with an embossed tuck box and gold foil on the outside, but there's also gold to be found on the inside.
(https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3468853_md.jpg)
Artist Olutade Abidoye brings us back in time to the Benin Empire, which flourished in an area of Africa that we call Nigeria today.
The court cards seek to recaptures something of the royal figures, with the face cards carrying markings of four distinguished Benin Kings, four Queen Mothers, and four respective Jacks (court servants).
(https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3468854_md.jpg)
Meanwhile the pips on the number cards are stretched and slender, adding a slimming feel to the traditional markings.
(https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3472433_md.jpg)
In a very colourful way, this is a deck that pays homage to this prosperous bygone era, and has potential to fire the imagination of card lovers around the world, not just Nigerians.
(https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3468855.jpg)
CONCLUSION
If you're in the market for something creative, unique, unusual, memorable, and hard to find or duplicate, it's hard to think of a better place to look than artofplay.com. Whether you're looking for that one-of-a-kind high end deck for your own enjoyment, or a gift for another gamer, Art of Play has something that will suit, and the decks you see here are fine examples.
To see more, head here: artofplay.com (http://artofplay.com)
Also see: Brand Spotlight: Art of Play (https://playingcarddecks.com/blogs/all-in/brand-spotlight-art-of-play)
Jungle deck: https://www.artofplay.com/products/jungle-deck
Lost Wax deck: https://www.artofplay.com/products/lost-wax
(https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3469869_t.jpg)
These decks are also available at your favourite Murphy's Magic retailer. See the product pages at Murphy's Magic for Jungle (https://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=59140), Lost Wax (https://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=58989)