Six Spades, Antique Playing Cards, Presumed Belgian, Late 18th C. cheese wedge desk object 7" x 7" x 3"

7" x 7" x 3"

I purchased this piece from a very fine consignment/antiques shop just outside of Boston

This one has a blank circle at the center of one side where the monogram would be carved (and still could be

head measures 1 5/8" wide x 2" deep x 1 3/4" tall

and with terrific proportions

Six Spades, Antique Playing Cards, Presumed Belgian, Late 18th C. cheese wedge desk object 7" x 7" x 3"I 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,