The Parisian manufacturer Nast, with a reputation for the purity of its porcelain, enhanced the white tones of the cards against a black background. In so doing Nast demonstrated its superiority over other manufacturers in the quest for the most dazzling white. The sophistication of the design lies in the combination of the popular image of card games and the particularly luxurious quality of gold used on the cup which were very much appreciated by wealthy clients during the Napoleonic period.