Ástuspil - Icelandic Folklore Deck of Cards by Ásta Sigurðardóttir

52 cards.

Ásta Sigurðardóttir (1930-1971) was an Icelandic author and artist whose life and artistic output was shadowed by her alcoholism, which may have contributed to her early demise at the meager age of 41. Known for her short stories that often dealt with alcoholism, miscarriages, rape and violence against women and children, Ásta's work was, to say the least, both trailblazing and controversial.

Ásta Sigurðardóttir is believed to have created the drawings for the cards in the years 1960-63. She had a strong desire to have them printed, but this didn't materialise during her lifetime. The drawings are coloured with watercolours. In the centre of each card, there is quite a broad black border, with one half being white and the other black. Between the halves, there is a circular area, and on it, there is a special magical symbol on each side: On the heart, there is the Helm of Awe, on the spade, Thor's Hammer, on the diamond, Ginfaxi, and on the club, Kaupaloki. Perhaps the suits are meant to represent white and black magic. It is clear that the half with the black suit is more ominous to behold.