Meet the Courts | Alexander Daniloff Tarot
Come on in to the wonderful Italianate, medieval-inspired world of Alexander Daniloff! *throws open the door*. This glorious Tarot is still very new to me, but I wanted to share his Court Cards with you so that you can see why I am so enamoured of this man’s work!
There is no accompanying book with this deck, but I don’t think that this detracts from the cards as a working deck at all. It’s very RWS-based in its imagery.
Without further ado, TADAAAAH! Here they are!
The Swords Courts |
As you can see, the common colour to the Swords Courts is black – quite in tune with the suits associations with grief and loss. But black is powerful, threatening… also, makes you look slimmer π There are lovely pops of colour in these cards too – and love the raven perched above the queen! I already spoke to Alexander Daniloff about the Page, with is artfully hidden HEWGE sword here.
Check out the delightful aqua and blue hues of the Cups, less obvious in the King perhaps. Unlike the Swords, this family all face to the right. I adore the big clumsy-looking Knight and love how the Queen of Cups slides her gaze to him!
The common colour for the Wands is green – reflecting the liveliness of the living Wand. The Wands Knight looks like a character from The Far Pavilions (not read it? read it. I luffed it.) The Wands look predominantly out to the left other, like the Swords. Apart from the pesky Page who looks to the right! Look at the sad-looking lion skin belonging to the King of Wands. He’s skinned the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz. And the Queen – with her golden ripe harvest and fiery ram’s fleece……. The Wands are scrumptious!
The Pentacles Courts |
I think that this might be my favourite family in this deck because, if you look closely, the Pentacle in each card is different. The Page has a game, the Knight has a coin, the Queen has a globe-like sphere and the King’s Pentacle is part of the trappings of his wealth, his robes. I love the Elephant and Castle on the escutcheon that makes up the King’s torso. This is where the lack of a LWB can be a little maddening lol! Mind you, I’ve seen fairly significant symbols go unmentioned in lots of LWBs, so there’s no guarantee that I would be any the wiser if Alexander had included one.
11 Comments
Ruth · 22nd November 2012 at 8:28 am
I love them! Great review, thank you, Ali! xxxx
alisoncross · 1st December 2012 at 12:43 pm
Thanks Ruth!! This is my very most favourite deck. Aside from my Druidcraft of course. I am terrified of banging up the corners on it though!
Inner Whispers · 2nd December 2012 at 1:34 pm
I rounded my corners… π
Inner Whispers · 20th November 2012 at 7:01 am
It's funny, the Kings with their insignia remind me of Ciro Marchetti's Knights who are just helmets – how sometimes our role takes over from us. Rather like your "Masks" posts, actually. So, how would that influence our reading of the Kings? π
alisoncross · 1st December 2012 at 12:42 pm
The Pages are fully formed, the Knights from the waist up, the Queens too… and the Kings are almost completely cyphers, but for their heads.
I'm not sure Chloe. I suppose that having no hands nor feet AND bound to their cityscapes, the Kings are unable to do anything that could affect change and are, therefore emphasises the FIXED aspect of their nature. But whether that's what the deck's creator intended, I don't know. I could be putting words into his characters' mouths! π
Carla Tate · 19th November 2012 at 6:37 pm
That Queen of Swords card is so funny. I love it so much. Alas, I cannot afford this deck, I shall have to admire from afar.
alisoncross · 1st December 2012 at 12:36 pm
I hope that a publisher takes it up as a mass produced deck at some point – it's so lovely. I know that I'm gushing, but I can't help it. It ticks all my boxes!
Ali x
Bonkers · 19th November 2012 at 4:12 pm
oh gosh love them indeed. you tempting enabling enabler you ;]
alisoncross · 1st December 2012 at 12:36 pm
It would make a very lovely Christmas pressie to yourself, Bonkers!
Vivianne · 19th November 2012 at 1:50 pm
I like this deck ever more the more I see of it π
alisoncross · 1st December 2012 at 12:34 pm
It's a well thought through deck with vibrant colours and really nice little touches of humour! I could sit and look at it all day!