Hab.t du Thibet from playing cards "Jeu d'Or" 18th century

This playing card, "Hab.t du Thibet" from "Jeu d'Or," was anonymously created as part of a card game. It reflects the West's fascination with exoticized lands and peoples during an era of burgeoning colonialism. The card shows a woman in a vibrant, imagined version of Tibetan dress. Her clothing blends European fashion with stereotypical elements of "Eastern" attire. The French text framing the image adds to the air of mystery and the sense of cultural distance. It hints at secrets and unfulfilled promises, mirroring the complex and often exploitative relationship between Europe and the regions it sought to colonize. The visual construction of the figure is less about accurate representation and more about constructing a fantasy. These fantasies reveal more about European desires and anxieties than about the realities of Tibetan life. This card, like many objects from its time, invites us to consider the power dynamics embedded in representation. What stories are told, and whose voices are silenced in the process?