can someone identify this deck? (Carnivāle)
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Aug 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| matta2k |
27 Aug 2003 |
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I hoped someone might be able to identify a tarot deck used in the new HBO series Carnivāle -- possibly the opening credits of the series, I don't know; I (badly) captured these images from the end credits of the Making Of special. The Devil is identical to the Classical Tarot deck (its art, not the writing/border) but the other cards don't match.
http://www.paperstreetprod.com/midway/tarot.html
Of course, it's possible that the deck was made by their prop department/production team, or was created on computer and doesn't exist in print. While I'd bet there would be a demand for these cards, the deck that HBO is selling at their website is something else entirely.
http://store.hbo.com/product/CRCVE0001/s.IQscBeGA
Anyway, I hope someone can help me! Thanks!
(BTW: This is my first post. I'm trying to renew my interest in tarot after several years.)
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| Logiatrix |
27 Aug 2003 |
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Hey, Matta, WELCOME!
Thank you for posting the images. I think you're right about the Classical Tarot likeness, or perhaps the Ancient Italian...
The borders, on the other hand, look like the Mythic Tarot to me. Then, some of the other images actually remind me of Catholic prayer cards or other paintings, and not tarot at all!!!
Very interesting...please keep us updated if you gather further info, okay?
:)
BTW, we have a "New Members" category where you can introduce yourself, if you wish...
Peace,
Tauni :D
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| Cerulean |
28 Aug 2003 |
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It looks like a bunch of different classical sources collaged onto old fashion card stock. You can correct me if I'm way off, but it truly looks like a mix of styles to me.
The devil on the left of the first card snapshot looks like a Di Gumppenberg card circa 1845 or Dotti devil circa 1865. The bearded man on the right kind of looks like one of the Patriachs from a Michaelangelo Sistine Chapel detail. Or perhaps one of the Saints such as Jerome from a painter such as Pontarmo circa 1520 from Florence?
The Tower card is the first time I've seen a battle scene in place of a House of Card fortress or falling tower. The crowd of peasants in revolt or such a crowd scene would probably be a more modern concept, say post 1776?
Death reminds me of a religious scene where someone goes into the cave that Christ's body is supposedly buried, but they find it is gone.
The Madonna with Cupids or St. Anne figure painting has that "contra-posto" twisting postures I associated with Pontarmo or other Florentine painters after 1520.
The costumes differ, so I have a feeling that it is more than one historic tarocchi, painting or other style of cards. That's my take at looking at them right now...but I've only become familar with hand painted and engraved Italian cards and paintings circa 1300 to 1520 in Siena, Florence and Ferarra and somewhat later styles of cards in Milan (to 1865). The paintings in the camera scans do not resemble common patterns to me, but more likely paintings. details.
You did a good job trying to get these to come out clearly. Best wishes--it would be exciting if it's a pattern unknown to me, from one deck!
Mari Hoshizaki
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| HudsonGray |
29 Aug 2003 |
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I think it's something the prop department came up with (nice work though!), as I see a number of images from the Cistine Chapel on the cards. Too bad their offered deck isn't up to that style, it's rather blah in comparison with just masks.
It wouldn't be the first time a tv show or movie did a fake set, they did it with two different decks on Buffy (the one where they did the spellwork against Adam at the season finale one year, and the deck Spike's love interest used when doing a reading about Angel that first year they arrived at Sunnydale). Most tarot decks don't have a 'fallen angel' or a 'magnus' in them. But both sets looked pretty neat. I noticed that both were huge size like the big Thoth deck, probably better for the camera to pick up on film. The Buffy show never offered either deck for sale either.
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| SongDeva |
11 Sep 2003 |
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All I have to say is, I clicked on this thread, and thanks to you people, bought the one they are selling.
Ok ok, so it's not your fault.
But I got to looking at it, and I was intrigued by the thought of doing readings as a look at what masks people are wearing.
As in, you are wearing the fool's mask in this situation, and it's not working for you. You need to wear the chariots mask the next time the situation arises, and this will help you to have focus and be a go-getter. Blah Blah, etc.
Any other scenarios anyone here can think up?
Matta2k, when is the show on? What is it about?
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| Cerulean |
12 Sep 2003 |
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Edited:
I gave away the set that I had: it did nothing for me and I had paid the $14 original price.
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There's another thread about the free tarot reading as a promotion. The reading is actually based on the Rider Waite and Tarot.com's reading engine--I recognized the card meaning of the Hermit, my soul card, which comes up if I enter my birthdate. Also, there's a link to tarot.com at the end of the reading.
Mari H.
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| SongDeva |
12 Sep 2003 |
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I didn't notice the free reading. Interesting note.
Per your note about mostly black and white, it also reminds me a bit of the Osho Zen, the way the bright figures are on a black background. Or at least a few of the Osho Zen cards, like Morality I think it is, and a few others.
Anyway, I'm enthralled by the mask reading concept. :) Will definitely start a thread when I get it. You and I should get them around the same time, as they are backorderer and expected in by the 3rd wk of Sept.
Not all *that* surprising, Mari, since we both like the Vision Quest, that our similar tastes extended to other decks. For instance, I just inquired about the Dolphin Daze deck as well!
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The can someone identify this deck? (Carnivāle) thread was originally posted on 27 Aug 2003 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.
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