Nine Diamonds, Antique Playing Cards, Presumed Belgian, Late 18th C. bird pattern very heavy for its size

very heavy for its size so great as a paperweight

and a couple of  minor stains to the surface of the checkerboard area

and when not in use

Beautifully thrown

I’ve been finding especially lovely ones of the English Coast

Nine Diamonds, Antique Playing Cards, Presumed Belgian, Late 18th C. bird pattern very heavy for its sizeI first purchased a batch of heart pips from this very same deck from a seller in Holland, who has been parsing them out a few at a time. When he posted these I snatched them up immediately I think they are just extraordinarily beautiful! I believe they date to the 1780s or so and are likely Belgian, which was a hub for playing card production in the 18th century, largely for export to England. I just love their imperfectly cut, square edged,