Celtic Tarot (Gaudenzi)

Creator(s): Giacinto Gaudenzi, Saverio Tenuta
Date: 2000
Country: Italy
Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
Number of Cards: 78
ISBN: 978-0738700137  
Type: RWS
Reference:  Encyclopedia of Tarot, vol. IV, pp. 267, 268

  




Notes:
The Celtic Tarot is illustrated by two different  artists. The Major Arcana were created by Gaudenzi in a style that is found in book illustrations. His work appears to be pen and ink colored with watercolors. The Minors Arcana are by Tenuto and recalls comic book art. The Majors were originally released in 1994 as an art deck under the name of Tarochi Celtici, and the Minors were added some years later and the deck re-released.

The Major Arcana's images are from Celtic folklore and fairytales. The Minors are based on the Rider Waite symbolism with the suits being attributed to Irish tribes. Wands represent the Fomori, Pentacles are the Tuatha De Danaan, Swords are the Ulaid, and Chalices are the Fianna. The deck attributes Wands to Air and Swords to Fire. The Court Cards follow the traditional pattern- Knave, Knight, Queen King.

The deck comes with a LWB that briefly explains the legends associated with each Major Arcana card.

Decameron Tarot

Creator(s): Luciano Spadanuda, Giacinto Gaudenzi
Date: 2003
Country: Italy
Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
Number of Cards: 78
ISBN: 978-3898-755153  
Type: other
Reference: Encyclopedia of Tarot, vol.IV, p. 304






Notes:
This is an "Adults Only" deck with sexually explicit imagery. The images do not specifically match scenes from Boccacio's Decameron (written ca 1350). Rather they illustrate the milieu of the time.


The major arcana were first published 1993 by Ideogramma Arte Editoriale in an edition limited to 300 copies. In 2003 Lo Scarabeo printed an unlimited edition of all 78 cards.