Nine Hearts, Antique Playing Cards, Presumed Belgian, Late 18th C. figures in cigar box I'd just set it on

I'd just set it on a shelf or use it as a paperweight

) cracked but stable (there's a bit of old chipping along the top edge

and upon giving them a close look I realized they are quite beautiful things and rather fell in love with them

and stains to the porcelain here and there

Nine Hearts, Antique Playing Cards, Presumed Belgian, Late 18th C. figures in cigar box I'd just set it onI find these very very old hand cut playing cards heartbreakingly beautiful!:) I am not at all a playing card expert, but someone much more knowledgable than me dated them to the 1780s or so and thought they are likely Belgian (I do know Belgium was quite a hub for playing card production in the 18th century, largely for export to England, and based on a little research late 18th century or seems about right.) I just love their imperfectly cut, square