The Wheel of Fortune
There are several things I really like about this card. First and foremost, the figure on the top of the Wheel is clearly a ruler, probably a king, but the crown makes it pretty clear that this is a person in charge, and the fact that it is a person and not a supposed sphinx is also attractive to me.
Compare this figure to a few from other decks...
Jean Noblet Tarot:
I think the noblet is most likely also showing a human ruler, to me it looks like he is kneeling, although I'm not at all sure what is behind him, perhaps a cape, or a throne?
Jacques Vieville Tarot:
Same for Vieville, I see a crowned figure holding a baton, and he appears to have one knee raised, I would guess his other leg is also kneeling.
Jean Dodal Tarot:
With the Dodal we can see the figure is crowned, but it is harder now to see if the figure is human. The baton in the Vieville is clearly a sword here as the hilt can be seen curling up near the base. The back of the image is still hard to understand. Of note, it looks like a tassel is hanging off of the right side of the platform, which reminds me of the tassel under the King of Cups:
Another aspect that I like a lot about this card is that it shows four figures as seen in the Visconti and other early Italian decks:
It's interesting as well that the Cary Sheet seems to show four figures as well, or at least I would guess so by seeing the figure at the bottom of the Wheel (top left of linked image):
http://highway55.library.yale.edu/PHOTO ... 613378.jpg
An usual feature of this wheel is that none of the figures seem to have animal features at all! Even the Visconti deck shown above has ears drawn into the gold area to show the animal instincts and foolishness of trusting in Fortune.
Another interesting feature is that the Wheel is supported from one centre post, instead of two as is generally seen in the Tarot de Marseille. Of course, it might only be the perspective that gives that impression, but considering that other Italian decks have the same basic one post design, I suspect that that is what we see here. one delightful aspect of the post is the two fishheads at the bottom, what fun!
I'm also delighted by what seem like carvings on the wheel, I don't have any idea what they are supposed to mean or why they would be there, but they remind me of Aztec calendar inscriptions.
The Paris also seems to imply that indeed, it is a cape waving in the background, so perhaps that is what we are seeing on later decks?
Isn't this a great card???