These are essentially the same deck, and yet the differences are most interesting.  Tarots of the Sphynx is currently available through US Games in the United States.  To my knowledge, Nefertari's Tarot is only available from Lo Scarabeo at this time.  The decks are mirror images of one another, that is, where a figure faces right on one, that same figure will face left on the other, and so forth.  Additionally, the background on the Sphynx is a lovely Mediterranean blue, versus black with gold foil accents on the Nefertari.

Those familiar with Silvana Alasia's Egyptian Tarots, also published by Lo Scarabeo, will see the same type of art here.  These depictions are like looking at a series of papyri rather than realistic scenes.  Being no scholar of Egyptian art, I don't know whether these are accurate portrayals for the period or not.  I think the art does evoke the ancient Egyptian aura though.  The colors are clear and bright; the scenes are simple and elegant.

In terms of practicality, I would say that the Sphynx deck is the way to go.  The gold stamping of the Nefertari, while lending a beautiful, sumptuous feeling to the deck, might not stand up well to lots of shuffling and reading of the deck.  It is a more expensive deck as well, and perhaps best suited to collectors, or to be read with on special occasions.  The Sphynx deck might be said to be the working wo/man's version and the Nefertari the Queen's version, appropriately enough.

Both decks are quite beautiful, and handle easily.  Being the standard Lo Scarabeo size (which is narrower and somewhat shorter than most US decks), shuffling should be comfortable even for smaller hands.

I highly recommend both decks to collectors as well as to those interested in things Egyptian.

Click here for pictures of Nefertari's Tarots

Click here for pictures of Tarots of the Sphynx

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Guest Review Copyright 2000 by Donna Davis
used with permission