Playing cards originated in China, spreading to Persia and India and arriving in Medieval Europe (14th Century) along the Silk Road and other trade routes. Medieval playing cards, especially luxurious, hand-painted decks such as those commissioned by nobility, were kept in elaborately decorated, fabric-lined or painted boxes. This signified their high value and artistic worth. They were cherished more for their artistry than for actual use in games, and were only occasionally taken out to be gazed upon and admired. Some decks with gilded backgrounds and careful borders made them appear like tiny, valuable paintings. Less valuable, mass-produced cards were kept in simpler containers.

Medieval playing cards were made out of sheets of heavy paper, stiffened with paste and laminated in a press. Most were at least two layers of paper thick, but commonly as many as three, four, or even six sheets thick. Playing card suits and patterns have changed many times since they first arrived in Europe from Asia, depending on the country and language. There wasn’t a single, standardized size for playing cards during the Medieval period, as sizes varied depending on the region, the maker, and the specific deck.

This is a PDF image file (.pdf). It is an INSTANT digital download of 2 printables for Miniature Playing Cards and Box.

This download has 4 x pages in total. The first printable (page 1) includes 52 Medieval Playing Cards, as well as 2 Jesters. It has a card pattern at the back (page 2). The second printable is a cutting template for the wooden box (page 3) and the box’s inner lining at the back (page 4).

The printables are in accurate 1:12 scale. The DIY assembly of these printables will produce authentic-looking Mini Medieval Playing Cards and Box.

The miniature card deck has 4 customized Medieval suits and has a suitably ancient look. The cards fit snugly inside their storage box, in two equal piles. They are perfect accessories for 1:12 scale mini castles, Medieval dioramas and every dollhouse library!

For best results, the playing cards should be printed on cardstock (160gsm) – https://amzn.to/45Dcgx4 and the box template should be printed on cardstock (200gsm) – https://amzn.to/46wMXyG. Please see further details under product ‘Description’.

For a free DIY video tutorial showing the step-by-step assembly for this printable, please see my YouTube channel https://youtu.be/Z_jDohKrJD8

You may be interested in the discounted bundle offer which includes 2 x card decks and 2 x boxes (see Shop for details)

Enjoy making your charming little playing cards and their storage box!