Nine Hearts, Antique Playing Cards, Presumed Belgian, Late 18th C. figures in cigar box and I think super beautiful

and I think super beautiful

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

adding up to really lovely and unusual set

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

and this candlestick has definitely been used

Nine Hearts, Antique Playing Cards, Presumed Belgian, Late 18th C. figures in cigar box and I think super beautifulI 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