Page of Swords | The Tarot of Alexander Daniloff

Published by Alison Cross on

When I first laid eyes on this new Tarot deck by Russian illustrator Alexander Daniloff, I was terribly excited!  I was immediately sucked in by the characters and the colours; it’s a veritable medieval carnival of delights!  


I had to know more!


So, continuing on my meme for the Page of Swords (see here, here and here for other Pages and interviews), I asked Alexander whether he would be interested in talking to me a little about his deck.


It’s a 78-card deck with 3 additional cards – one blank and one each offering variations on Force and Justice.  The cards will measure 141 x 73mm and the card edges are squared.


Let’s take a look at his Page of Swords.


I’m loving the raven in his banner – they are clever, cruel and entertaining birds, a bit like the Swords family altogether.  See how his banner partly obscures his face? I like that – it feels kinda sneaky – but what of the hand and head at his feet?


I put some questions to Alexander, the deck’s creator:


How did you become interested in the Tarot? 


“I have always been fascinated by the symbolism and medieval emblematic, iconography of miniatures and frescoes.

“The Tarot for me have been a reason to immerse myself in a medieval atmosphere, crawl between the nobles and the miserable, oscillate between the Moon and the Sun, between Life and Death.

“I do not know use the Tarot, but interpreting a state of mind, a sentimental message that contains each Arcana I began soon to feel its magic. They gave me a common thread, a compass to connect remote past with today, to create a deck in the classic style, addressed and strengthened a saving irony to avoid the risk of rhetoric.”

Tell me about your Page of Swords:  


“The Page of Swords is about espionage, secret service investigation……his face is hidden and a large sword on his shoulder is not immediately visible.


“I gave him a skinny black suit and a red circle on the flag to make him look like a Ninja! The circle is associated with the symbol of Pentacles – he uses it as camouflage.


“The Raven with  ring held in its beak is shown in the red circle – stealing.


“He has one foot resting on the broken head of a statue.  This is a reference to David and Goliath.  He gets what he wants by cunning, guile and unpredictability.  He can conquer brute force.


All the Pages are limited by the platform under their feet, despite the fact that they are in an open area.”






Alexander Daniloff is based in Italy and his work can be found here 
He has a 22-card Majors only tarot currently available and he is just about to start shipping his latest Tarot, from which this marvellous Page has been taken.


Alison Cross

The Tarot's Court Cards are my specialist area.Β  They talk to me. Not LITERALLY though ....

11 Comments

Inner Whispers · 6th October 2012 at 8:44 pm

Bah, my will is so weak! Have joined the TABI group order too πŸ˜‰

    alisoncross · 7th October 2012 at 8:09 am

    I don't think that you'll regret it, Chloe *grin*

Cheryl · 6th October 2012 at 4:11 pm

Beautiful artwork

    alisoncross · 6th October 2012 at 4:31 pm

    It's very medieval and so colourful! I love the astrological motifs on the Senior Court cards – they'll be getting featured at some later date!

    Ali x

Bonkers · 6th October 2012 at 3:48 pm

oh gosh, looks like such a must-have for me
*off to check out his page*

:0

    alisoncross · 6th October 2012 at 4:06 pm

    He has a 22-card and 78-card deck available – the 78-card deck is the one for me!!!

    Ali x

    Bonkers · 7th October 2012 at 4:21 am

    I really really want it after looking at more sample, but it is so expensive :[

    alisoncross · 7th October 2012 at 8:15 am

    Bonkers – It is much more expensive than a commercially published deck. Maybe you can start getting your Christmas List together, starting with this deck, so that when December comes around and someone asks what you would like as a pressie, they might be happy to contribute towards the deck?

    You will find a way….. πŸ˜€

    Ali x

Sage · 5th October 2012 at 3:09 pm

aaargh AAAARGH. you are tempting me SO much, you are eeevil, pure eeeevil

    alisoncross · 5th October 2012 at 3:26 pm

    *mwhahahaha* I am stroking my white cat and looking out the window. Pondering world domination. Well, even if you don't buy it through the TABI order, you an always buy it directly yourself later. But you will mis out on the group 'squeeeeee' πŸ˜€

    Just blummin GET IT!

    Sage · 6th October 2012 at 9:54 am

    and, yes,…..I ordered it. Credit card is now groaning πŸ˜‰

    Its too beautiful NOT to get

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