Ebonywood has been used decoratively for millennia. It has a very fine texture and can be highly polished. Carved ebony objects have been found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The wood became popular in Europe during the late 1500's, when Dutch traders began importing the material which grows in India, Sri Lanka, West Africa, Indonesia, Australia and Mauritius. Recall the heavy, black frames which were popular during the Golden Age of Dutch painting; perhaps some were ebonywood (or other woods ebonized to resemble it). Ebony became popular for European furniture making in the 1600's. In France, such furniture makers were called ébénistes—a word still used for "furniture maker" to this day.
Today, ebony is possibly the most expensive wood in the world. In fact, modern ebony is endangered and highly regulated. As a result of over-harvesting, the wood is rare and only small objects are made of ebony today: clarinets & oboes, the black keys of pianos & organs, and the fingerboards of string instruments like violins, cellos and some guitars. In the past, black chess pieces were made of carved and turned ebony.
The Edwardian English ebonywood trinket box, shown above, was made around 1905. It has a hinged lid and a removable divider. It can be used to hold a small collection of cufflinks, perhaps a watch, or a handful of collar stays. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248