Name: Fillide Playing Cards V2 (Terra)
Designed by: Alessandra Gagliano.
Description: The cards in this beautifully detailed pack contain a wealth of visual references to ancient Sicilian folklore and Greco-Roman mythology, particularly the legend of Fillide, who was transformed into an almond tree by the goddess Juno after the young woman died of a broken heart while awaiting the return of her lover, Acamente, from the Trojan wars.

A French-suited pack, each of the figures on the court cards holds or wears its suit’s counterpart Italo-Spanish suit sign. Each of the suits has been allocated to one of the four seasons of the year and the court cards are attired in colours appropriate to the season represented by their suit signs – so the heart courts, representing Summer, are attired in vibrant reds, greens and yellows, while the spade courts, representing Autumn, are attired in more subdued browns, oranges and blues.

The courts represent different mythological figures and feature decorative elements associated with the particular god or goddess each represents. For example, the Jack of Diamonds, as Poseidon, brandishes a trident and is decorated with seashells, and breaking waves and sea spray can be observed over his right shoulder.

The aces have large central pips containing within them depictions of Fillide, each showing a different stage of her transition from woman in love to almond tree.

The jokers, one red and one black, bear a reimagined image of the Triskelion (known in Sicily as the Trinacria), the three-legged woman that symbolises Sicily. The intricate back pattern comprises two medallions containing images of Fillide transformed into an almond tree, surrounded by representations of the different phases of the moon and almond leaves and blossom.

Overall, this pack displays a lot of fine and imaginative artwork and a pleasing overall unity of design.
It comes in a foiled and embossed tuck box. Acqua and Aria versions are also available.
Printed by: Cartamundi.
Published by: Jocu Playing Cards.
Published in: 2022.
Price: from £15.20
Available from:
https://www.jocu.cards/shop and various other online playing-card, magic and cardist outlets and eBay etc.