Fragmentary Playing Card 

These three fragmentary paintings (also see M.2002.1.650 and M.2002.1.651) belong to a rare group of extant playing cards produced in Mamluk Egypt (1250-1517), representing the earliest such objects to survive from the Islamic world. Mamluk decks are remarkably similar to those used today, with fifty-two cards divided into four suits (cups, coins, swords, and polo sticks),...