Contained within an evocative box, these circular playing cards are from Nepal (purchased in Kathmandu). I believe them to be a set for Ganjifa: a game similar to poker originating in Persia and popularized in India in the 16th century. Workshops of artisans (chitrakars) produced Ganjifa cards using materials ranging from ivory and tortoise shell, to wood, palm leaf, paper and leather. Senior artists hand-painted the figures while junior apprentices worked on backgrounds and simple motifs. With the introduction of printed cards in the 19th century, the more expensive hand-painted cards became obsolete. Learn more here. You can see more examples here.
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