American artist Daniel Arsham has created a limited-edition poker game set for the World Poker Tour, featuring ceramic poker chips in his signature colours and linen cards depicting some of his sculptures.
The WPT Arsham Poker Set marks the first collectible design product released by the World Poker Tour (WPT), which hosts the world championship of the name.
Arsham, a keen poker player who has previously participated in WPT charity events, was tasked with reinterpreting the classic poker set in his distinctive “future relic” style.
“The collaboration was an opportunity to push the boundaries of a traditional poker set,” he explained.
“Through materials, texture and form, I wanted each element to evoke a sense of refinement and permanence, a testament to the culture and energy of the poker world.”
Produced in a limited worldwide run of 100, the set is enclosed in a custom-designed anodised aluminium case and includes 350 ceramic poker chips, two decks of linen-covered cards and an anodised aluminium dealer button.
The curved forms used for the dealer button, which are also repeated on the aluminium case, are similar to those found in the artist’s sculpture practice and furniture designs.
Arsham told Dezeen he enjoyed applying his ideas to a modern take on the familiar game.
“I had been thinking about creating a poker set using some of my sculptures as the face cards and creating a three-dimensional look as if the cards were three-dimensional and thicker,” he explained.
Arsham is known for his works that explore the concept of future history and fictional archaeology. His sculptures are often made by recreating everyday objects in materials such as volcanic ash, amethyst and other minerals.
He also creates work based on classical Greek and Roman sculptures, introducing eroded sections to give the impression that the pieces were unearthed by archaeologists.
WPT chose Arsham for the project because it wanted the poker set to embody both the game’s timelessness and its continuing evolution, explained CEO Asam Pliska.
“Every detail of the design, from the unique colour palette to the curved dealer button and classical statuary-inspired face cards embodies the dual nature of poker: a game steeped in tradition and history, yet constantly evolving,” Pliska told Dezeen.
“It’s this balance of beauty, function and heritage that makes the set truly special.”
During a career spanning more than two decades, Arsham has collaborated on projects ranging from stage design to architecture and fashion.
In 2023 he collaborated with Japanese design studio Nendo on a series of furniture objects made by breaking apart styrofoam forms.
Since 2008, Arsham also runs the interior design practice Snarkitecture with Alex Mustonen, which hopes to challenge conventional approaches to materials and structures.
Snarkitecture’s recent work includes an office interior in New York featuring plywood walls with wavy cutouts and a store in Miami for musician Pharrell Williams’ clothing brand, decorated with custom-made murals and art installations.
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