RAJPUTS Deck. A fortress of playing cards carved from the sandstone of Rajasthan
The history of India is carved in stone and written with the courage of legendary warriors. In the heart of the Thar Desert stand imposing fortresses and palaces that have witnessed epic battles, unimaginable sacrifices, and mystical devotions. All that echo of honor and courage resonating in the lands of Rajasthan now comes to life in the form of collectible art in the new masterpiece: RAJPUTS.
Regular readers of the blog are well acquainted with the spectacular work of the creative duo behind Old Gravity. On this occasion, Ritu Bhattacharya (with research support from her husband Bivas) has artistically led this project after traveling through the historical sites of Rajasthan for documentation. The result is a profoundly authentic and detailed work that transforms the traditional playing card into a canvas brimming with folklore, architecture, and the majesty of medieval India, published under the Nova Lux Decks label.
The campaign offers us four decks in total, divided into two visual themes that pay tribute to the mythical sandstone used to build the fortresses of Rajasthan. Each of these themes is presented in a standard edition and an exclusive, highly limited, numbered edition with metallic edges (gilded).
On the one hand, the Red Sandstone Edition breathes the fire of dusk. Its tuck boxes, deeply carved with embossing and three-dimensional metallic finishes, imitate the facades of reddish palaces like those of Bikaner, featuring intricate latticework (jaali) and majestic peacocks guarding the entrance. Its interior hides a dazzling floral pattern inspired by the frescoes of the Junagarh palace. The standard version offers all this visual richness, while the highly sought-after Gilded version crowns the work with an impressive metallic finish on the edges in a burnished copper tone.
In contrast, the Yellow Sandstone Edition captures the pale midday glow in the “Golden City” of Jaisalmer. The palette shifts towards soft golds, sun-bleached ochres, and sepia grays. Its tuck box, adorned with camels and pigeons, simulates the natural wear of desert stone over centuries, in a marvelous graphic texturing exercise. Its standard version immerses us in this monumental and warm world, and its Gilded counterpart elevates the deck to a collector’s jewel with a dazzling solid gold metallic finish on the edges of the cards.
Once we open the tuck boxes, this cultural immersion takes over the cards, starting with the card backs. Their design presents a hypnotic symmetrical composition where a floral mandala blooms from a central eight-petaled lotus (a symbol of purity), expanding into concentric rings that imitate the stunning carved ceilings of the City Palace in Jaipur. Its intricate lines and vines subtly change palette depending on the edition, creating an exquisite pattern designed to shine in every fan.
The true history lesson awaits in the astonishing court cards. The illustrations, rendered with an overwhelming level of detail, introduce us to the most revered characters of Rajput folklore. Invincible kings like Maharana Pratap or Prithviraj Chauhan (Kings of Spades and Diamonds), army leaders who defended their strongholds to the end, and queens of unwavering devotion like Sant Meerabai (Queen of Hearts) or figures of heartbreaking sacrifice like Rani Karnavati (Queen of Diamonds). Each character poses framed beneath elaborately carved stone arches, conveying the stoicism and pride of their lineage.
The aces break away from simplicity to become symmetrical architectural monuments. Horses, elephants, and peacocks frame the grand palace domes and stone chhatris that guard each suit’s symbols.
This monumental aesthetic also carries over to the numbered cards, where each symbol rests within a finely carved stone niche, illuminated from within by the light of a small sacred diya lamp, whose flame holds the card’s numerical index.
To add even more folkloric richness, the jokers invite us to witness the living art of the streets: a dancer performing the feat of the traditional Bhavai dance balancing pots, and a wandering desert musician playing the ancestral Ravanahatha.
All this folkloric magnificence requires impeccable production quality. For this reason, printing has been entrusted to King Star Playing Cards (KSPCC), guaranteeing premium 310gsm black core paper, deep embossing, and, above all, specialized metallic foiling on each of the cards so the dark colors flash majestically.
In addition, the campaign offers the possibility of acquiring some remaining stock from their successful previous projects, such as Taj Mahal or Ad Fontes.
If you wish to hold the warrior soul and architectural beauty of India in your hands, visit the project page and make your pledge.
Good luck!
