Trionfi (cards) - Deck

Deck

It's apparent, that one cannot be sure, that any note of the word Trionfi or similar, like instance ludus triumphorum, in 15th century indicated something similar to Tarot cards, as they are popular today, neither in regard of the motifs nor in regard of the deck structure. A Ferrarese document in 1457 notes the production of 2 decks, from which each had 70 cards - the usual modern Tarot deck form has 78 cards].

The first sure deck with 78 cards appears in the Boiardo Tarocchi poem. The date is not sure; with security between 1461–1494, likely in the 70's of 15th century. The deck structure is then according to the Tarot-standard, but the motifs and suits signs of the Boiardo deck are totally different. Some examples are:

• The above mentioned deck of Michelino da Besozzo possibly was meant to accompany a Trionfi of Filippo Maria Visconto at 2 June 1425.
• the above mentioned Cary-Yale deck is estimated to have been produced for the marriage of Bianca Maria Visconti and Francesco Sforza in October 1441
• The above mentioned Pierpont-Morgan-Bergamo Tarocchi (estimated to be produced 1452) relates possibly to a triumphal activity in Milan in August 1453.
• The above mentioned 2 decks from Ferrara in June 1457 seem to relate to a visit at Ferrara of the young Milanese heir of the dukedom Galeazzo Maria Visconti in July/August 1457
• We've only one note about Trionfi cards in Siena, 1451. It's just the year of a 4-day-celebration for the first meeting between Emperor Fredrick III. and his bride, Eleanore of Portugal.
• We've 2 notes of Naples in 1473 and 1474. It's just the time, when the King of Naples prepared for the marriages of daughters.
• It's reported, that Bianca Maria Sforza brought cards from Italy to her wedding with Emperor Maximilian in 1494. The cards were intensively discussed and admired at the evening before the wedding night.
• A German card deck (without any sort of Tarot structure, but preferring the traditional card form) was produced to the marriage of the son of the German emperor to a Spanish princess.