Artist: Mariarita Frazzoni
Two Versions Currently Available:
Large - 6 x 9" - 15.24 x 22.86 cm deck & box set,
Signed & Numbered, and limited to only 30 sets
Or Standard Sized deck 4 x 6'' (10 x 15 cm) Signed & Numbered and Limited to 300 Decks
Leaflet: English Version Edited by Arnell Ando
Number of Cards: 22 Majors + Title Card
Theme: Paintings of Historical Scenes of Bologna as Related to Each Major
Cards have Roman Numerals & are Titled in Italian with Landmarks in English
Cards on Textured Art stock, Backs are Blank - Reversible
Includes an Title Card - Numbered & Signed by the Artist
Published by Museo Dei Tarocchi - Hermatena
Packaging: (depends on the version, see details below)
Price for Large, Special Ed: € 350. Euro + Italian Postage
Price for Standard Version (limited to 300 sets): €35. Euro + Postage
*Discounted Price for U.S. Customers Below
Description:
Tarocchi Al Top, I Tarocchi di Bologna is a beautifully made deck, rich with history and symbolic detail. A very limited edition is offered, consisting of only 30 numbered sets,
signed by the artist,
Mariarita Frazzoni,
a beloved illustrator of children's books in Italy. A more affordable, standard version is also available, due to popular demand.
The art in this deck is a symphony of colors, crowded scenes of characters and prominent landmarks showcasing this extraordinary city that has deep roots in its esoteric past. As an underlying theme, the cards are populated by sweet little mice that add humor and charm to the more serious, historical nature of the deck. The Death card has a mischievous cat playing a deadly game of cat & mouse. 'Al Top', found in the title of this deck means on top in Italian but also means mouse.
The way this particular deck was printed looks almost as if each card is a hand painted work of art; the colors practically jump off the page (especially apparent with the jumbo sized deck, but also looks great in the regular version). It is printed on high quality, textured paper (rather like watercolor paper). The cards for the large (6 x 9'' - 15.24 x 22.86 cm) version are probably not meant for actual readings but more as a meditation and study of Tarot, specifically Bolognian ancient esoteric and Tarot history. The wee leaflet is worth reading as it shares a fascinating history of the city of Bologna steeped in magic and lore. Bologna is in northern Italy and also is the district in which the Tarot Museum resides. A series of tours throughout the city were made in order to research and discover the mysteries and magic of the distant past. Each illustration depicts a magical place set in the Middle Ages of Bologna. The art style is reminiscent of fairytales since that is the style best known from this famous Italian illustrator, Mariarita Frazzoni. The paintings were created using a variety of mediums including pastels, inks and watercolor, resulting in a richly colorful deck, playful in nature while also relaying this fascinating account of ancient Bologna.
The special edition (limited to only 30 sets) comes in a wooden box which slides open (at least that was the case early on and the one Arnell currently has in U.S. stock - pictured on this page). The top of the box is collaged with a smaller version of the title card, fastened onto dyed papers and secured with the Museo’s signature hot wax seal. There is a wood burning of the Museo’s logo on the box.
The other (4 x 6'' - 10 x 15 cm) version, limited to 300 signed & numbered copies, comes in either a book-style cover, tied with twine or a sturdy gift box. It is also printed on slightly textured off-white cardstock. Both versions have blank backs and either would make an exceptional collector’s deck and wondrous view into the long Italian history of Tarot and esoteric study.
