Emerald Pattern: Bavaria's Age-Old, Treasured Design

The Old Bavarian pattern, which originated in the early 16th century, is a type of playing card with roots in the Augsburg Pattern. The Old Bavarian pattern was produced in the old Dukedom of Bavaria and adjacent countries, including parts of Habsburg Tyrol, Salzburg, and Bohemia. The cards typically feature a drummer (Ober of Leaves), two fencers with two weapons each (Ober and Unter of Acorns), and Bacchus astride a wine barrel. The standard format for these cards is 55 x 98 mm, and they include the following suits: Acorns, Leaves, Hearts, and Hawk-Bells. While the Old Bavarian pattern settled around 1700, it was eventually replaced by regional patterns such as the Bavarian, Bohemian (or Prague), Franconian, Salzburg, and Tyrolean patterns in the 19th century.

The Old Bavarian pattern is believed to have originated in the early 16th century

The Old Bavarian pattern gave rise to several regional patterns, such as the Bavarian, Bohemian (or Prague), Franconian, Salzburg, and Tyrolean patterns. These patterns are still in use today, except for the Tyrolean pattern. The Old Bavarian pattern itself settled around the year 1700, and by 1800, it was replaced by the regional patterns mentioned earlier. The earliest known producer of cards in the Old Bavarian pattern was Tobias Fetscher (?) in Augsburg, circa 1700. Other known producers from the late 1700s to the early 1800s include Andreas Benedict Göbl in Munich, Johann Georg Felser in Ingolstadt, Joseph Henseler in Waltenhofen (Kempten), Michael Schatzberger in Passau, and Karl Albrecht in Bozen, who produced children's cards.

The standard format for the Old Bavarian pattern cards is 55 x 98 mm, and they typically come in a set of 36 cards: Daus, King, Ober, Unter, and numbers 10 to 6 in four suits—Acorns, Leaves, Hearts, and Hawk-Bells. While the Old Bavarian pattern has not been traced beyond 1850, its influence can be seen in the various regional patterns that stemmed from it, and it remains a significant part of the history of playing cards in Bavaria and its surrounding regions.

The pattern was produced in the old Dukedom of Bavaria and adjacent countries

The Old Bavarian pattern emerged in the early 16th century, evolving from the Augsburg Pattern. By the 1700s, the design had settled into what we now know as the Old Bavarian pattern, featuring a drummer (Ober of Leaves), two fencers with two weapons each (Ober and Unter of Acorns), and Bacchus astride a wine barrel. This pattern was produced in the old Dukedom of Bavaria and its adjacent countries, including Habsburg Tyrol, Salzburg, and parts of Bohemia near Passau (where German was spoken until 1945). It may have also been produced in parts of Upper Austria.

The Old Bavarian pattern was likely influenced by the earlier Augsburg Pattern, which featured similar motifs of kings, Ober, and Unter. The Old Bavarian pattern gave rise to several regional variations, including the Bavarian, Bohemian (or Prague), Franconian, Salzburg, and Tyrolean patterns. These patterns are still in use today, except for the Tyrolean pattern.

The production of the Old Bavarian pattern was associated with several notable printers and cardmakers. One of the earliest known producers was Tobias Fetscher (?) in Augsburg around 1700. The pattern was also crafted by Andreas Benedict Göbl in Munich (c.1765), Johann Georg Felser in Ingolstadt (c.1790), Joseph Henseler in Waltenhofen (c.1790), Michael Schatzberger in Passau (c.1790), and Karl Albrecht in Bozen (c.1790), who specialised in children's cards. Jacob Vogel in Bregenz (c.1790) was another notable producer of this pattern.

Around 1800, the Old Bavarian pattern was succeeded by the regional patterns that stemmed from it. The latest known appearance of the Old Bavarian pattern is from around 1850, in cards produced by Conrad Jegel in Nürnberg.

The Old Bavarian pattern settled around 1700

The Old Bavarian pattern, which originated in the early 16th century, settled around 1700. The pattern was produced in the old Dukedom of Bavaria and its adjacent countries, including Habsburg Tyrol, Salzburg, and parts of Bohemia adjacent to Passau. The standard format of the cards was 55 x 98 mm, and they featured various designs, including the drummer (Ober of Leaves), the two fencers with two weapons each (Ober and Unter of Acorns), and Bacchus astride a wine barrel. The Old Bavarian pattern also gave rise to several regional patterns, such as the Bavarian, the Bohemian (or Prague), the Franconian, the Salzburg, and the Tyrolean Pattern, which are still in use today, except for the Tyrolean Pattern.

The history of the Old Bavarian pattern can be traced back to its predecessor, the Augsburg Pattern, which featured similar designs, including the Kings, Ober, and Unter. Around 1800, the regional patterns that stemmed from the Old Bavarian pattern replaced it, and it hasn't been traced beyond 1850. The Old Bavarian pattern has left a lasting impact on card design, with its unique and distinctive motifs that continue to be used and cherished even today.

Some of the notable producers of the Old Bavarian pattern cards in the early 18th century include Tobias Fetscher in Augsburg (c.1700), Andreas Benedict Göbl in Munich (c.1765), and Johann Georg Felser in Ingolstadt (c.1790). These card makers contributed to the spread and popularity of the Old Bavarian pattern, which became a significant part of the culture and entertainment in the region.

The Old Bavarian pattern reflects the artistic and cultural traditions of the time, showcasing the intricate details and craftsmanship of card makers in Bavaria and its surrounding areas. The inclusion of motifs like the drummer and the fencers adds a dynamic and lively touch to the card designs, making them more engaging and visually appealing.

The settlement of the Old Bavarian pattern around 1700 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of playing cards in the region, influencing not only the card designs but also the gaming culture and social gatherings that revolve around them.

The pattern has 36 cards: Daus, King, Ober, Unter, 10 to 6 in Acorns, Leaves, Hearts, and Hawk-Bells

The Old Bavarian pattern, which features 36 cards, is a descendant of the Augsburg pattern, which was in use around 1500. The Old Bavarian pattern settled around 1700, and by 1800, it had been replaced by several regional patterns, including the Bavarian, Bohemian (or Prague), Franconian, Salzburg, and Tyrolean patterns. The Old Bavarian pattern can be traced to 1850, and it is believed to be one of the oldest German-suited packs.

The 36 cards of the Old Bavarian pattern include: Daus, King, Ober, Unter, and numbers 10 to 6, in four suits—Acorns, Leaves, Hearts, and Hawk-Bells. The Daus, or Deuce, is the highest card in each suit and is usually depicted with two pips. The King is the second-highest card. The Ober and Unter are the knaves, with Unter being the lower knave and Ober being the higher knave. Their positions in the suit are indicated by the suit sign, which appears either below (U) or above (O) the personage.

The suits of the Old Bavarian pattern are characteristic of German-suited playing cards, which are common in Central Europe, especially in southern and eastern Germany, Austria, and German-speaking Switzerland. The German suit system is one of the oldest, dating back to around 1450, and it influenced the design of the now-international French suit system. German-suited packs originally included four court cards per suit: King, Queen, Ober, and Unter. However, the Queen was dropped in the early 16th century.

The four suits of the Old Bavarian pattern have distinct features:

• Acorns (Eichel or Kreuz) is the highest suit in games like Skat, Schafkopf, and Doppelkopf.
• Leaves (Grün, Blatt, Laub, Pik, or Gras) depict military musicians, with the Ober playing a drum and the Unter playing a fife.
• Hearts (Herz or Rot) feature armed Obers and Unters.
• Hawk-Bells (Schelle, Schell, or Bolle) are round bells with a small stone inside and a ring for tying.

The standard format of the Old Bavarian pattern cards is 55 x 98 mm

The Old Bavarian pattern of playing cards is believed to have originated in the early 16th century, with roots in the Augsburg Pattern. The standard format of these cards is 55 x 98 mm, and they are characterised by 36 cards in four suits: Acorns, Leaves, Hearts, and Hawk-Bells. Each suit features a King, Ober, and Unter, along with cards numbered 10 to 6.

The Old Bavarian pattern underwent a transformation around 1700, introducing iconic figures such as the drummer (Ober of Leaves), two fencers with two weapons each (Ober and Unter of Acorns), and Bacchus astride a wine barrel. This pattern was produced in the old Dukedom of Bavaria and adjacent regions, including Habsburg Tyrol, Salzburg, and parts of Bohemia near Passau.

The Old Bavarian pattern served as the foundation for several regional patterns, including the Bavarian, Bohemian (or Prague), Franconian, Salzburg, and Tyrolean patterns. However, by around 1800, these regional patterns began to supersede the Old Bavarian pattern, which hasn't been traced beyond 1850.

The standard format of the Old Bavarian pattern cards, measuring 55 x 98 mm, played a significant role in the evolution of playing cards in Central Europe. This format influenced the design and structure of subsequent card games and contributed to the rich history of playing cards in the region.

The Old Bavarian pattern cards, with their distinctive dimensions, not only left a mark on the card games of their time but also contributed to the development of various regional patterns. The influence of these cards extended beyond their immediate successors, as later card games in Central Europe continued to reflect the impact of the Old Bavarian pattern's standard format.

Today, while the Old Bavarian pattern may not be as prevalent as it once was, its legacy persists in the card games and regional variations enjoyed by players across Central Europe. The standard format of 55 x 98 mm for these cards played a pivotal role in shaping the course of playing card history, leaving an indelible mark on the cultures and traditions of the regions where they flourished.

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