Tin
after Thomas Gainsborough RA (Sudbury 1727 - London 1788)
Category
Metalwork
Date
Unknown
Materials
Metal
Measurements
135 x 190 mm
Order this imageCollection
Mr Straw's House, Nottinghamshire
NT 741574
Caption
Playing cards are believed to have been invented during the Tang dynasty around the 9th century AD with the introduction of woodblock printing technology. The earliest recorded instance of a game involving cards occurred 17 July 1294 when the Ming Department of Punishments caught two gamblers playing with paper cards. Wood blocks for printing the cards were impounded, together with nine of the actual cards.
Summary
Metal tin with hinged lid. lid has picture of Jonathan Buttall (1752-1805): The Blue Boy after Thomas Gainsborough. 'Three British Queens' 'Cadbury Bournville, eng' on bottom.
Provenance
Straw collection bequeathed to The National Trust on the death in 1990 of William Straw.
Marks and inscriptions
Three British Queens' 'Cadbury Bournville, eng (on bottom)
Makers and roles
after Thomas Gainsborough RA (Sudbury 1727 - London 1788), artist