Jewish Museum Ze'ev Raban Playing Cards

This deck of playing cards is a reproduction of one first produced c.1920 in Jerusalem by Ze'ev Raban, a founder of the Bezalel Academy.  An iconic figure in Israeli art known for his evocative portrayals of biblical and Zionist themes, his work as an illustrator, designer, and painter created a visual lexicon for modern Jewish art. 

In the deck, Raban features Jewish figures for the royalty cards such as King David, King Saul, Queen Esther, and Judith.  He reimagines the suits as pomegranates, stars of David, menorahs, and fig leaves. 

The original deck is included in the Jewish Museum's collection and slightly smaller in size.  The reproduction has been adapted for modern card playing.  Please note, there are no Jokers included in the reproduction deck as they were not included in the original set of cards by Raban.

About the original playing cards in the collection:

Artistic Palestine Play-Cards
Ze'ev Raban (Israeli, b. Poland, 1890-1970)
Duchifat Press (Jerusalem), Palestine (Israel), c. 1920
Ink on paper
Each: 2 1/4 × 1 1/2 in. (5.7 × 3.8 cm)
The Jewish Museum, New York
Gift of Dr. Harry G. Friedman, F 4561